Tomas Hertl played hero in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, scoring the game-winning goal with 3:24 remaining in regulation, as the Vegas Golden Knights took a 1-0 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C. The thrilling contest at Lenovo Center saw the Golden Knights rally from a two-goal deficit to secure a 5-4 victory.
Hertl's Heroics Seal the Deal
Hertl performed a give-and-go with Colton Sissons, getting the puck back in the slot and firing a wrister over the outstretched blocker of Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen to make it 5-4. The goal capped a remarkable comeback for Vegas, which has now won seven straight playoff games.
Key Performances
Shea Theodore had a goal and two assists, Brett Howden added a goal and an assist, and Ivan Barbashev and William Karlsson each scored for the Golden Knights. Brayden McNabb contributed three assists, while goaltender Carter Hart made 23 saves to earn the win.
For the Hurricanes, Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice, Jordan Staal and Shayne Gostisbehere each added a goal, and Andersen stopped 18 shots. Carolina lost for just the second time this postseason.
Fast Start for Carolina
Hurricanes anthem singer Adam Lee Decker was still catching his breath from belting out the national anthem when Carolina opened the scoring just 25 seconds into the game. Ehlers chipped the puck around Theodore at the blue line, sprinted up ice and ripped a wrist shot off the right post and in to make it 1-0.
Midway through the first period, a Vegas breakdown handed Ehlers another golden opportunity. Golden Knights defenseman Dylan Coghlan was skating off for a change when Jack Eichel turned the puck over at the other end, allowing Ehlers to slip behind the defense, accept a stretch pass from Jalen Chatfield, and tuck a backhand under Hart’s left pad on a breakaway.
Vegas Fights Back
After Vegas coach John Tortorella held court with his team during a TV timeout—the new 'Torts' still capable of a passionate tongue-lashing—the Golden Knights began to chip away at Carolina's lead. With forward Keegan Kolesar creating chaos at the top of the crease, Theodore's one-timer deflected off a body in front to cut the deficit to 2-1 at 13:28 of the first period.
Barbashev tied the game at 2-2 just 30 seconds into the second period when he took a centering feed from Eichel and beat Andersen with a quick shot over the blocker. It was the first time in Stanley Cup Final history that goals were scored in the opening 30 seconds of both the first and second periods of a game.
Karlsson, left alone in the low slot, finished on a brilliant no-look pass from Mitch Marner to give Vegas its first lead of the game at 4:35 of the second period. Marner's assist was his playoff-leading 22nd point.
Hurricanes Respond
Carolina's third line was the only trio able to get on the board through 40 minutes. K'Andre Miller intercepted a weak clearing attempt by Noah Hanifin at the top of the Vegas zone, sent the puck ahead to Staal, and the captain wired it top left past Hart to tie the game at 3-3.
Ehlers added his second goal of the night early in the third period to give the Hurricanes a 4-3 lead, but Howden answered for Vegas to tie the game once again before Hertl's late winner.
Looking Ahead
Game 2 is set for Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Raleigh, N.C., as the Hurricanes look to even the series before it shifts to Las Vegas.
