Golden Knights beat Hurricanes in Game 1 to take 1-0 Stanley Cup Final lead

Vegas opened the Stanley Cup Final by taking home-ice advantage from Carolina in a 5-4 Game 1 win on June 2, after the Hurricanes scored twice in the first period and still came away empty. Tomas Hertl scored the winner with 3:24 left in the third period, according to ESPN and CBC. The result gave the Golden Knights a 1-0 series lead heading into Game 2 on Thursday, June 4. Carolina's loss came after a start that looked decisive. ABC11's live coverage said Nikolaj Ehlers scored 25 seconds into the opener and added another first-period goal as the Hurricanes went ahead 2-0. Yahoo Sports said Vegas answered from there and turned the game into a 5-4 road win. (espn.com) ### How did Vegas get out of the early hole? Nikolaj Ehlers gave Carolina its fast start, but Vegas kept answering. ESPN's game summary showed the Golden Knights trailing 2-1 after one period, tied the game with two second-period goals, and then scored twice in the third to finish the comeback. Tomas Hertl delivered the decisive goal late in regulation. (abc11.com) CBC reported Hertl took a backhand pass from Colton Sissons and beat Frederik Andersen from the slot with 3:24 remaining. CBS Sports said the goal came with under four minutes left and sealed a 5-4 victory in Raleigh. ### What did Carolina say after letting Game 1 slip? (espn.com) Rod Brind'Amour focused on Carolina's leading forwards after the game. ABC11 reported the Hurricanes coach said, "We need them to get going," referring to the top line after the Game 1 loss. The same report said Brind'Amour did not second-guess his decision not to challenge Vegas' first goal. (cbc.ca) ABC11 said Brind'Amour's explanation on the non-challenge was that there were too many things happening on the play to expect a reversal. That left the Hurricanes to regroup after losing a game in which they had built an early cushion at home. ### What does the 1-0 lead change in the series? (abc11.com) The 5-4 result gave Vegas control of the series before either team played at T-Mobile Arena. CBS Sports said the Golden Knights stole home ice with the opener, while ESPN's game page listed Vegas as leading the series 1-0. (abc11.com) The matchup had already been framed as a close one. NBC DFW's series preview said Carolina reached the Final for the first time in 20 years, while Vegas arrived after sweeping Colorado in the Western Conference final, a point also noted by CBS Sports. ### Where can fans follow Game 2 from Las Vegas? (cbssports.com) The Golden Knights said on June 3 that they will host an official watch party inside T-Mobile Arena for Game 2. The team said doors open at 4 p.m. PT and puck drop is set for 5 p.m. PT on Thursday, June 4. (nbcdfw.com) T-Mobile Arena's events page also lists a Game 2 watch party tied to the Hurricanes-Golden Knights series. Local coverage from 8 News Now said the event includes giveaways and raffles, with proceeds supporting the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation. ### When is the next game and where is the series headed? Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, before the series shifts to Las Vegas. (nhl.com) CBS Sports' schedule page said every game in the series is being carried on ABC, and Yahoo's schedule roundup said the same. (t-mobilearena.com) June 4 is the next immediate test for Carolina after dropping the opener at home, and for Vegas after taking a one-game lead into the second matchup of the final. The Golden Knights' watch party begins before the 5 p.m. PT puck drop at T-Mobile Arena. (nhl.com) (cbssports.com)