Golden Knights Stun Hurricanes With Late Comeback in Stanley Cup Final Opener

The Vegas Golden Knights delivered a dramatic comeback victory to open the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, overcoming an early deficit to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 at Lenovo Center on Tuesday night. Tomas Hertl capped the rally with his fourth goal of the postseason, scoring with just 3:24 remaining in the third period to give Vegas a crucial Game 1 win on the road.

• Tomas Hertl netted his fourth goal of the playoffs, breaking a 4-4 tie late in the third period.
• Vegas erased an early deficit to seize the series lead.
• Game 1 was played at Carolina's Lenovo Center.

The Golden Knights trailed early but showed resilience, chipping away at the Hurricanes' advantage before claiming the lead for good in the final minutes. The win continues a trend for Vegas, who have established themselves as comeback specialists throughout this postseason, routinely finding ways to prevail when facing adversity.

Hertl’s decisive tally at 16:36 of the third period was his fourth of the postseason, underscoring his knack for timely scoring. The goal capped a back-and-forth contest that saw both teams trade momentum swings and offensive bursts. The Hurricanes surged ahead in the early going, but Vegas steadied, adjusted, and ultimately capitalized on their opportunities down the stretch.

According to game highlights, the opening period set the tone for a high-energy matchup, with both teams generating quality chances and trading goals. The Hurricanes built a lead in front of their home fans, but the Golden Knights responded, steadily closing the gap before moving in front late in regulation.

Vegas’s offensive versatility was on full display, as multiple skaters contributed to the comeback. Their forecheck and transition game created key scoring chances, while the defensive unit tightened up in the final stages to preserve the lead after Hertl’s late marker.

The victory gives the Golden Knights a 1-0 series edge and home-ice advantage as the Stanley Cup Final continues. Carolina, who entered the series hoping to leverage their home crowd and fast start, now faces the challenge of regrouping for Game 2.

Fans can expect another hard-fought contest when these two teams meet again, with Vegas’s comeback mentality and Carolina’s offensive firepower promising more high-stakes drama as the series unfolds. For full box scores and player stats, visit the NHL's official scores page.