The Stanley Cup Final kicked off with an electrifying Game 1 between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Despite both teams being known for strong defense, the championship series opener was a high-scoring, entertaining 5-4 affair that featured rapid-fire goals and significant saves from both goaltenders, Carter Hart and Frederik Andersen. The game saw Nikolaj Ehlers score early for Carolina, followed by Vegas rallying with goals from Shea Theodore, Ivan Barbashev, and William Karlsson. Jordan Staal and Shayne Gostisbehere also scored for the Hurricanes, before Colton Sissons set up Tomas Hertl for the game-winning goal with 3:34 left in regulation, providing a thrilling start to the finals.