Hertl’s Decisive Late Goal Powers Golden Knights to Game 1 Victory Over Hurricanes]
Tomas Hertl scored the game-winning goal with 3:24 remaining in the third period, lifting the Vegas Golden Knights to a 5-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in the opening game of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Shea Theodore contributed a goal and three points for the Golden Knights, while Brett Howden recorded a goal and assist. Ivan Barbashev and William Karlsson each added single goals in the comeback win. Goaltender Carter Hart made 23 saves, and Brayden McNabb set a career playoff-high with three assists.
For the Hurricanes, Nikolaj Ehlers netted two goals, including the third-fastest goal in Stanley Cup Final history, scoring 25 seconds into the game. Jordan Staal and Shayne Gostisbehere each added goals, and Frederik Andersen made 18 saves. Jalen Chatfield recorded two assists.
Carolina built an early 2-0 lead before Vegas rallied with three goals in the second period. Theodore’s long shot deflected off a defender at 16:00 of the first period, and Barbashev tied the game 30 seconds into the second period with a top-corner strike from the slot. Karlsson gave Vegas a 3-2 lead at 4:35 of the middle frame.
Staal evened the score eight minutes later, and Howden gave the Golden Knights a 4-3 lead early in the third period. Gostisbehere tied the game at 11:19 of the final frame before Hertl’s decisive strike.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Thursday in Raleigh. The team winning Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final has won the championship 76.4% of the time, dropping to 65.6% when the visiting team prevails in the opener.
The Hurricanes suffered only their second loss of the playoffs and will look to even the series in Game 2 before the action shifts to Las Vegas.
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