Stanley Cup Final Game 1 Live Blog between Golden Knights, Hurricanes

Welcome to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights. 

The Golden Knights pull out a wild 5-4 win at Lenovo Center. 

NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Bill Price was inside Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, to provide all the sights, sounds and highlights in our Game 1 live blog.

10:58 p.m. ET

And that's it. A wild start the Cup Final sees the Vegas Golden Knights come into Lenovo Center and walk out with a 5-4 win. 

Thanks for reading along tonight. I'll be back on Thursday for Game 2. 

Be sure to read all the NHL.com coverage in a little bit and all throughout the series.

10:52 p.m. ET

The Golden Knights retake the lead with Tomas Hertl scoring with 3:24 left in regulation. 

The game is nuts and now this arena, stunned for a second, is trying to get the home team back into it. 

The Hertl goal comes a few minutes after Carter Hart robbed Seth Jarvis with a ridiculous glove save.

10:45 p.m. ET

The decibel level in here is through the roof right now with the Hurricanes fans chanting "Let's Go Canes, Let's Go Canes" and going nuts for every hit, with Shayne Gostisbehere's game-tying goal getting this crowd going again. 

The goal came after Vegas was hit with an icing and the Hurricanes got the puck off the ensuing face-off and the Ghost jumped on a loose puck and fired it past Hart. 

This is an epic game for sure, a score-a-thon not everyone expected between these two tight-checking teams. 

But this is a great way to start this Final, except if you're the coaches of the two teams. 

Vegas had a Golden chance to tie the game, but Freddy Andersen made a big stop on Colton Sisson, a save followed up by "Holding Out for A Hero" by the DJ. 

He is en Fuego.

10:38 p.m. ET

Carolina kills the Jankowski penalty. That's the good news. 

The better news? The Hurricanes just tied the game 4-4 with 8:41 left on a goal from defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and this place is going nuts again. 

What a way to start this Cup Final and we're not done yet. 

Someone is going to have to score at least one more goal to settle this epic.

10:33 p.m. ET

Carolina just came up empty on another power play, this one coming with 13:51 left when Vegas' Rasmus Andersson closed his hand on the puck - that's a no-no. 

As he went to the penalty box, the DJ played Alice in Chains' "Man in the Box." Not sure how many people here got the reference, but I did. Great job on that one. 

This comes a few seconds after the DJ played "Enter Sandman" by Metallica. He follows it up with "Walk" by Pantera. He's rolling now.

Carolina's power play has not been great and it still trails 4-3 with under 11 minutes to go here in Game 1. 

And now Vegas goes to the power play after Mark Jankowski is caught for delay of game. Huge moment here.

10:27 p.m. ET

The DJ plays "Black Betty" by Ram Jam to try to get this crowd fired up. They are a bit down with their Hurricanes trailing 4-3 here in Game 1 of the Cup Final.

With 15:57 left in the third, Vegas is outshooting Carolina 19-18, which is incredible, considering Carolina outshot Vegas 12-4 in the first period.

The Golden Knights have not played a perfect game, but they have taken advantage of Carolina mistakes and they have played a better game than Carolina to this point.

Still plenty of time to go, but you can bet Vegas is going to try to lock it down in the final 15 minutes of the game.

10:21 p.m. ET

And now Vegas takes the lead. Shea Theodore makes an amazing pass to Brett Howden and it's a 4-3 game with 18:39 left in the third.

The Vegas shift that led to the goal was taken right out of the Carolina playbook. A ferocious forecheck allowed Vegas to keep the puck in the zone, eventually allowing Theordore to get some open ice and slide the puck to Howden for a tip in.

The crowd is getting restless here early the third.

Does Carolina have another answer?

10:16 p.m. ET 

Here we go. The third period has begun here in Raleigh and there is already plenty at stake. 

Clearly, Game 1 of the Cup Final is up for grabs as well as the momentum in this series. 

If Vegas can win this game, it would have not only beat Carolina on the road, it would have done it after falling behind 2-0, including 1-0 in the first 25 seconds of the game. 

If Carolina can win this guy, it holds serve at home and lets Vegas know that even on a night when they were taken out of their game for times, they find a way to win. 

Whatever happens, I think it's safe to say we are in store for what could be an epic Cup Final. 

Buckle up. 

Candy update: Gummy worms have been replaced by gummy bears. I'm just having a few to give me a sugar high for the third period.

10 p.m. ET

And now two periods are in the books here in Raleigh and it's 3-3 in a wildly entertaining game, unless, of course, you're a fan of either Vegas or Carolina, then it's pure torture. 

Vegas outshot Carolina 11-4 in that period, something we haven't seen done is quite some time. 

Now everyone can catch their breath for 18 minutes and come back for what will certainly be an epic third period. 

The players head to the room as the DJ played "Unbelievable" by EMF (i didn't even have to look that one up).

9:54 p.m. ET

We have under two minutes left in the second, it's tied 3-3 and it's a thrill-a-second game now.

Carolina seems to have found its game and is pushing, but can't take the lead.

But now Vegas is going to the power play with 1:24 left.

It always amazes me just how crazy fans go for the T-shirt toss.

They just did one here.

Listen, I love a free T-shirt as much as anyone, so I get it, but as a guy who wears XXL -- I like comfort -- I usually get a L or an XL and I have to give it away anyway.

But it really is like winning the lottery as far as T-shirts go.

Now we get "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC. That's three AC/DC tunes tonight.

9:50 p.m. ET

This crowd is absolutely going nuts here now.

The arena host keeps telling the fans to "Make Some Noise," but I'm not sure that's necessary as they hist hit 105 decibels in here.

The crowd is a sea of red with hardly a Vegas jersey to be found.

It's funny though, everyone predicted this would be a tight-checking, low-scoring game, and we have six goals already - 3 for each team.

It hasn't been wide open, but if a team makes a mistake the other one is there to capitalize on it. Something to watch as we get near the end of the second and go to the third.

Vegas has actually outshot Carolina in the second period to this point, something we rarely saw in the first three rounds of the playoffs.

9:40 p.m. ET

The crowd chants "Freddy, Freddy" as Andersen makes two huge stops -- both on Tomas Hertl -- on the power play to keep it at 3-2.

That turns into a "Let's Go Canes" chant as the crowd is back into it after being somewhat stunned by three straight goals by Vegas, including two in the first 4:25 of the second period.

Carolina seems to be getting some of its swerve back, taking the body. And as a result, K'Andre Miller intercepts a pass at the blue line and gets it to Jordan Staal, who beats Hart to make it 3-3 with 7:18 lef in the second.

This is turning into an all-time epic and are just past the halfway point.

9:33 p.m. ET

For the first time since Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, the Hurricanes trail in a game and this crowd is somewhat stunned.

It's somewhat funny, but coach Rod Brind'Amour was asked about backup goalie Brandon Bussi today and said something to the effect of if he gets in the game something would've had to have gone wrong. I don't think Andersen is in danger of being pulled yet -- he's allowed three goals in nine shots -- but you wonder if it's in the back of Brind'Amour's mind if Vegas scores again.

They will get a chance to do so right now, going to the power play with 12:14 left in the second with Mark Jankowski going off for hooking.

Huge PK coming up right here for Carolina. It certainly doesn't want to fall behind by two goals here.

They just showed the Duke basketball coach on the big board here and he was booed. Oh boy.

9:30 p.m. ET

And now Vegas goes up 3-2 with 15:25 left in the second on a goal by William Karlsson and Carolina suddenly doesn't look like Carolina.

Vegas has come out flying in this second period and has two goals in the first 4:35 of the second.

Vegas is putting the pressure on and suddenly Carolina goalie Freddy Andersen doesn't look as unbeatable as he had recently.

And suddenly this crowd is stunned.

The DJ busts out the second AC/DC song of the night -- "It's a Long Way To The Top."

Just before the second period started, he played some remix version of Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey, which is unquestionably one of the top 10 worst music videos of all time.

9:22 p.m. ET

And just like that we are tied. 

Vegas scores 30 seconds into the second period and it's 2-2. This time, it's Ivan Barbashev with the goal. 

So that's a goal 25 seconds into the first period for Carolina and a goal 30 seconds into the second for Vegas. 

Crazy stuff.

9:20 p.m. ET

Welcome back. 

The candy report from the press box pantry is not pretty. The gummy worms are gone, the things that look like orange slices are gone and the mini M&Ms are running low. 

There is plenty of popcorn, but my doctor told me last week to cut back on the salt so that's out, especially when you consider I had a massive steak last night. 

The real test of my willpower is this cheerwine soda they have down here in Raleigh. It's like cherry soda, but it's pretty much just liquid sugar, like even more liquid sugar than regular soda. 

I had a half-a-glass yesterday just to satisfy my urge, but it's water and unsweetened iced tea from here on out. 

With the second period about to begin, some great notes from the NHL Stats guys. 

* Nikolaj Ehlers scored the 10th goal ever in the opening 25 seconds of any Stanley Cup Final game. It was the fastest since Fernando Pisani tallied for the Oilers 16 seconds into Game 5 of the 2006 Final -– played at the same building in Carolina. Of note: Glenn Anderson scored 10 seconds into the suspended game in the 1988 Stanley Cup Final, which is not counted as part of the official records.

* Nikolaj Ehlers became the second player on record (since 1997-98) to score on the first shot on goal to open a Stanley Cup Final. The only other instance was Game 1 of the 2007 Stanley Cup Final (Mike Fisher at 1:38).

* Nikolaj Ehlers (0:25) tied Erik Cole (0:25 in Game 6 of 2002 CSF) for the second-fastest game-opening playoff goal in Hurricanes/Whalers history, behind Warren Foegele (0:17 in Game 4 of 2019 R1).

* Nikolaj Ehlers became the first player since Al MacInnis (1989 w/ CGY) to score twice in the first period during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. There has never been a first-period hat trick in a Stanley Cup Final opener.

* Nikolaj Ehlers (12:08) scored the fastest two goals by one player from the start of a Stanley Cup Final in more than 35 years. Overall, Ehlers’ tallies were the fifth-fastest two goals by one player to start a Stanley Cup Final, behind Dick Duff (1:08 in 1963 w/ TOR), MacInnis 8:33 in 1989 w/ CGY), Reg Noble (11:00 in 1918 w/ TAN) and Pit Martin (12:07 in 1973 w/ CHI).

* Jalen Chatfield (0-2—2) became the 10th defenseman in NHL history to record multiple points in the opening period of a Stanley Cup Final, and second in the past 33 years following Chris Pronger (0-2—2 in 2010 w/ PHI).

9:02 p.m. ET

The first 20 minutes are in the books here and it's 2-1 Carolina. 

Nikolaj Ehlers has two goals for the Hurricanes, while Shea Theodore has the Vegas tally. 

Carolina is outshooting Vegas 10-3, and though it has played its game here, Vegas found a way to get a goal on a point shot and trail by just one after the first period.

As we go to break, the DJ plays "Thing Called Love" by the Darkness. This will not qualify as metal for Mr, Roarke. 

I'm going to check out the press box candy selection and report back when the second begins. 

See you in a few.

9 p.m. ET

The Golden Knights kill the power play and despite getting a rough start to this game -- including allowing a goal 25 seconds in, they are right in this game.

They nearly scored at the end of the penalty with Howden coming out of the box as the Golden Knights were heading back up the ice.

The crowd that was going nuts after Ehlers' second goal of the goal has calmed down a little bit with Vegas showing it is not going to go away.

They almost had a reason to erupt, but Logan Stankoven was stopped on a breakaway by Carter Hart.

There are under two minutes left in the first period and it's 2-1 Carolina.

I have to admit, other than the Scorpions to open the game, we haven't heard much metal, which I'm sure is not sitting well with Shawn Roarke.

8:52 p.m. ET

Just when it looked like Carolina was about to blow Vegas away, the Golden Knights come right back and score on a goal from Shea Theodore and just like that it's 2-1 Carolina with 6:32 left in the first. 

The fans wanted the Hurricanes to challenge for goalie interference, but they would not. 

But now Carolina goes on the power play with Brett Howden going to the box for cross-checking.

8:48 p.m. ET

Make that two goals for Nikolaj Ehlers. He scores at 12:08 of the second, coming down on another breakaway, this time beating Carter Hart five-hole with a slick move. Vegas lost the puck at the blue line and Carolina's Jalen Chatfield put a pass across ice to a wide-open Ehlers who walked in alone on Hart.  It's now 2-0 Carolina. 

It didn't help that Vegas was changing their defensemen. Jack Eichel didn't the get puck deep, the Hurricanes countered and it's 2-0 home time here in the first period. 

A few minutes before the goal, the DJ played "Nothing But A Good Time," by Poison. I'll leave any Bret Michaels comments to myself.

8:40 p.m. ET

If you haven't seen the Hurricanes this year, what they have done in the first eight minutes of Game 1 is what they have been doing all season.

They take advantage of another teams' mistakes, they hit you every chance they get and they make it almost impossible for the other team to get a shot on goal. 

They are playing their game to the fullest right now and the Golden Knights have to find a way to turn the tide. 

Again, it's early, but beating the Hurricanes is hard enough, having to do it while trailing is even harder. 

I'm starting to wonder if my Shazam issues are actually a WiFi issue or if my Shazam had a late night out in Raleigh Monday. Just when I say that, Shazam picked up "TNT" by AC/DC even though it was some club version of it. That's right, a club version of AC/DC.

8:32 p.m. ET

The Hurricanes nearly got another goal just one minute after Ehlers scored, but Jaccob Slavin hit the crossbar at 1:25 of the first, coming down from his defensive post and nearly beating Hart.

The Hurricanes are flying and this place is going bonkers.

In case you're wondering if Ehlers' goal 25 seconds into Game 1 is the fastest ever to start a Cup Final, wonder no more.

The NHL Stats guys, who are just a few seats down from us in the press box, came up with this awesome nugget.

Ehlers' goal was the third-fastest Stanley Cup Final-opening goal in history. The only ones faster: Sid Smith with the 1951 Maple Leafs (0:15 vs. MTL) and Reggie Leach with the 1976 Flyers (0:21 at MTL).

I'll have to ask Dave Stubbs about those first two.

8:25 p.m. ET

Twenty-five seconds in and the Hurricanes are on the board. Nikolaj Ehlers comes down on a 2-on-1 and beats Carter Hart under the glove and it's 1-0 Carolina and this place is going nuts.

What a start for the home team. Wow.

8:23 p.m. ET

Puck dropeth.

After an crazy pregame ceremony and the Scorpions playing while the players took the ice, we have hockey.

Of course, the crowd went nuts when the Hurricanes took the ice and it stayed that way before and after the "Star-Spangled Banner," but the highlight of the pregame was the guest of honor -- Lord Stanley's Cup itself -- making an appearance on the ice to remind everyone why we are here.

The cranking of the siren was also intense, with Hurricanes legend Eric Staal -- and brother of current Canes captain Jordan -- doing the honors.

But now all the hoopla is over, all the talking is done and the game is on.

And hey, I did recognize one song -- "The Rising" by Bruce Springsteen played a few minutes before the players came on the ice.

That was followed up by "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" by Johnny Cash.

That's some way to warmup the crowd.

Should be fun.

It's on.

8 p.m. ET

My Shazam app is currently smoking as it and me don’t recognize any of the songs being played during warmups. I even had the Shazam app tell me it’s going to look for one of the songs later because it can’t figure it out right now.

Hmm.

I have to figure eventually I will know one of these songs, maybe once the game gets started.

Anyhoo. It’s really starting to fill up in here with puck drop about 10-15 minutes away. 

I expect this place to be nuts tonight. Why not? The fans down here have waited 20 years since the Canes’ last appearance in the Cup Final and have experienced plenty of postseason heartbreak over the years. 

On the other hand it’s remarkable that Vegas is in its third Cup Final in just nine NHL seasons and second Cup title in four seasons. 

Something has to give here with each team coming into Game 1 on an absolute roll. 

Carolina is 12-1 in the postseason, the only loss coming in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final. 
Vegas is 12-4 and has won six in a row since dropping Game 4 of the second round to the Anaheim Ducks. 

Again, something has to give. 

Warmups are now over, the players and coaches are back in their rooms making final preparations. After days and days of waiting, it’s just about go time. 

Can’t wait.

7:42 p.m. ET

The players are on the ice and the NHL.com crew is spread out all over the arena. Me, Dan Rosen and Nick Cotsonika are in the main press box, while the other six .com writers in Raleigh are in different auxiliary boxes around the rink.

It’s still filling up inside here. I would assume a good part of the crowd is still outside enjoying the final few moments of their tailgate parties before heading inside for Game 1.

It really is a cool scene outside here with people all over the parking lots with tents, food setups and coolers full of fun.

When you first pull in there is a woman who has a tailgate and a sign that says “honk if you love hockey.” We made sure Tom Gulitti, driving the NHL.com rental car, honked when we drove by. 

There is no real lineup news to be on the lookout for as both teams are healthy heading into Game 1, which will make for a hard-hitting, intense Game 1.

Look for both teams to hit each other every chance they get and try to severely limit the scoring chances. It’s what both teams do so why change.

We are now about 20 or so minutes from getting going here.

I have the Shazam app working here tonight, because I’m sure I’m not going to know a lot of the songs they play in here. In fact, a song they played right before the teams took the ice that mentioned something about a hurricane stumped Shazam. How about that.

I just can’t wait to hear “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by Scorpions when the Canes take the ice.

Might be the best entrance song in all of sports.

7:25 p.m. ET

We are about 10 minutes away from warmups, so to get you all ready for Game 1 tonight here is some required pregame reading (there may, may be a quiz later).

Dan Rosen lays out three things to watch in Game 1.

No surprise here that Seth Jarvis’ “friends” will be here tonight.

The Vegas Golden Knights are getting a big piece back with defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) back in the lineup for the first time since Game 6 of the first round.

And though you fans may have butterflies for the game tonight, the players do too. And like you all, they can’t wait to get going.

7 p.m. ET

We are a little over an hour away from puck drop, but the party is in full swing here in Raleigh -- the tailgate party that is.

Though this is a hockey game, there is a college football vibe here with fans enjoying the gorgeous weather, pounds and pounds of smoked meat and gallons and gallons of beverages -- even some with alcohol -- in the shadow of Lenovo Center, the Hurricanes’ home rink, and Carter-Finley Stadium, the football home of the North Carolina State University Wolfpack.

Me and Tom Gulitti even took a walk to meet up with his old friend “Hamilton the pig,” who is unquestionably the No. 1 fan of the Hurricanes.

There were also a ton of fans at the pregame concert by Brothers Osborne, also in the parking lot.

One thing I didn’t see was any Vegas jerseys. Should be a very loud home crowd tonight.

No question the vibe outside will switch inside close to puck drop and we expect a really loud, electric atmosphere tonight.

We did have some news earlier today with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announcing the format for the 2027 NHL All-Star Game at UBS Arena in Elmont, Long Island. Here is that news and everything that was discussed during his pregame media avail.