The Stanley Cup Final began with fireworks Tuesday night, and when the dust settled, the visiting Vegas Golden Knights once again proved why they have become one of the NHL’s most resilient postseason teams.
After falling behind by two goals in the opening period, the Golden Knights stormed back and received the game-winning goal from Tomas Hertl with 3:24 remaining in regulation to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final at a roaring Lenovo Center.
The victory gives Vegas a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series and steals home-ice advantage from Carolina heading into Game 2 on Thursday night in Raleigh.
The Hurricanes electrified the home crowd almost immediately. Just 25 seconds into the game, Nikolaj Ehlers took advantage of a rush opportunity and blasted a shot past Vegas goaltender Carter Hart on Carolina’s first shot of the night. The early strike ignited the arena and gave the Hurricanes the dream start they had envisioned.
Ehlers struck again later in the first period, converting a breakaway chance to make it 2-0 and send the crowd into another frenzy during Carolina’s first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 20 years.
But the Golden Knights, who had already overcome a 3-0 deficit earlier in the playoffs against Anaheim and swept the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final, showed no signs of panic.
Following a timeout midway through the opening period, Vegas began to find its rhythm.
Defenseman Shea Theodore got the Golden Knights on the board before Ivan Barbashev added another goal to erase the deficit. The momentum continued to swing as both teams traded goals in a fast-paced, wide-open contest that contrasted sharply with the defensive dominance both clubs had displayed throughout the postseason.
Brett Howden gave Vegas its first lead of the night just 1:21 into the third period when he scored his playoff-leading 11th goal, putting the Golden Knights ahead 4-3.
Captain Jordan Staal delivered a tying goal after Vegas had surged in front, and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere later knotted the score at 4-4 when he skated into the left circle and ripped a shot past Hart at the 11:19 mark of the third period.
The back-and-forth battle seemed destined for another dramatic finish.
Moments before the decisive goal, Hart made one of his biggest saves of the evening, denying Seth Jarvis on a dangerous scoring chance.
Seconds later, Colton Sissons carried the puck into the offensive zone and threaded a perfect backhand pass from the right faceoff circle to Hertl in the slot. Hertl quickly fired the puck past Frederik Andersen, sending the Vegas bench into celebration and silencing the crowd.
The goal stood as the winner and capped another remarkable comeback for the Golden Knights.
Hart finished with 23 saves for Vegas, while Andersen stopped 18 shots for Carolina.
The Hurricanes entered the Final with a dominant 12-1 playoff record, becoming the first team since 1983 to reach the Stanley Cup Final with only one postseason loss and the first to accomplish the feat since the NHL adopted best-of-seven series in every round in 1987.
Carolina swept through Ottawa and Philadelphia before dispatching Montreal in five games to reach the championship round. The appearance marked the franchise’s first trip to the Final since 2006, when current head coach Rod Brind’Amour captained the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup.
Vegas, meanwhile, has continued its remarkable surge under Tortorella following the late-season coaching change that replaced Bruce Cassidy. The Golden Knights have now won 19 of their last 24 games and appear to be peaking at exactly the right time.
Defense had been the hallmark of both teams throughout the playoffs. Carolina had allowed two goals or fewer in 12 of its first 13 postseason games, while Vegas stifled Colorado’s high-powered offense during its stunning conference final sweep.
Game 1, however, was anything but a defensive showcase.
Instead, fans were treated to an entertaining offensive display featuring momentum swings, highlight-reel goals, and a dramatic late winner.
And after one game, the Golden Knights are four wins away from capturing their second Stanley Cup championship in four seasons. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, will look to regroup quickly as they attempt to even the series on home ice Thursday night.
