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Tomas Hertl scored the game-winning goal with 3:24 left in the third period, lifting the Vegas Golden Knights to a 5-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final Tuesday night.
Hertl capitalized on a backhand pass from Colton Sissons from the right faceoff circle and beat goalie Frederik Andersen from the slot. The goal broke a 4-4 deadlock in what was an intense, fast-paced battle.
Despite falling behind quickly—Nikolaj Ehlers put Carolina ahead just 25 seconds into the game and added a second goal shortly after—Vegas showed no panic. The Golden Knights rallied from an early two-goal deficit, with key contributions from Shea Theodore, Ivan Barbashev, Brett Howden, and William Karlsson.
Howden’s goal early in the third period gave Vegas a 4-3 lead, part of a stretch of three straight goals that turned the momentum. Karlsson acknowledged the rough start but emphasized the team’s belief: “Just like it was against Colorado, a lot of time left. We always believe.”
Vegas coach John Tortorella praised his team’s resilience after the win. “I’ve said it all through the playoffs: it’s a find-a-way league. We found a way tonight,” he said. Tortorella hopes to carry the momentum into Thursday’s Game 2 back in Raleigh. “Momentum swings happen quickly. We want to keep the momentum on our side, so there’s no question we’re looking to get two.”
Carolina’s Jordan Staal and Shayne Gostisbehere each scored tying goals, with Gostisbehere making it 4-4 on a blast past Vegas netminder Carter Hart at 11:19 of the third period. Andersen stopped 18 shots for Carolina, while Hart made 23 saves, including a crucial one on Seth Jarvis just before Hertl’s winner.
The Hurricanes entered the finals with a dominant 12-1 playoff record, their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 20 years since coach Rod Brind’Amour led them to the title in 2006. They swept the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers before closing out Montreal in five games to advance.
The Golden Knights, meanwhile, have strung together seven straight wins in the playoffs, carrying strong momentum since Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy late in the regular season. Their remarkable run includes overturning a 3-0 series deficit to defeat Anaheim and sweeping the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche.
Both teams have excelled defensively throughout the postseason, but Tuesday’s opener was an offensive showcase, with each side seizing scoring chances in a thrilling back-and-forth contest.
Brind’Amour reflected on the team’s performance, citing the adjustments needed in the final. “This is a totally different team, and that may be part of it too. We’ve got to get up to speed on how this game and this series is going to go. I think we certainly got a taste of that now.”
The best-of-seven series resumes Thursday as the Golden Knights look to extend their lead and seize control on Carolina’s home ice.
