The Vegas Golden Knights led 2-0 through two periods in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday night at Lenovo Center. Vegas proceeded to give up two goals, and a costly and perplexing third-period challenge by John Tortorella led to a go-ahead power-play strike for the home team.
Though Vegas miraculously tied the game with 1:21 remaining to force overtime, Carolina’s man-advantage broke through once more in extra time to help the Hurricanes even the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
The Golden Knights were forced to play most of the game without defenseman Brayden McNabb, who took Nikolaj Ehlers’ one-timer right off the visor in the first period. It was a massive loss, as McNabb logs a ton of minutes and is the Golden Knights’ most reliable defensive defenseman (though he’s been quite productive offensively as well).
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported during the second period that she had unconfirmed reports that McNabb left the buliding and went to a local hospital for further evaluation. He did not return and played just 5:39. Tortorella leaned on Jeremy Lauzon, who played 21:08.
First period
Vegas had a few forecheck battles along the boards but seemed a bit out of sync, just missing on several passes and falling victim to Carolina’s active sticks when they tried to set up in the offensive zone.
The Hurricanes controlled play in the first period, and it wasn’t particularly close. Carolina led 27-9 in shot attempts, 7-2 in shots, 14-2 in scoring chances and 7-0 in high-danger chances with an 81.33 percent expected goal share, per Natural Stat Trick.
But the Golden Knights took those numbers and threw them out the window.
For one thing, Carter Hart had a fantastic opening frame. He stood tall and made a number of huge saves, getting a little help from Dylan Coghlan, who blocked one follow-up chance when Hart was out of position to save a goal.
Hart was excellent, denying the home team on the power play and turning aside every other dangerous look the Hurricanes presented. He finished the frame with 1.58 goals saved above expected, per Money Puck.
But the Golden Knights were patient, and eventually they were able to capitalize on their one clean look of the period.
Mitch Marner sent a backhand lob pass high out of the zone. While the puck was in the air, Brett Howden won a battle with Sean Walker at the blue line and was the first to the puck, skating in alone on Frederik Andersen. The NHL’s leading goal-scorer in the playoffs made no mistake, beating Andersen just above the blocker to give the Golden Knights the 1-0 lead 13:33 into the game.
Even though Carolina was the better team early, and even though the Golden Knights managed just two shots, Vegas took the lead into the first intermission.
Second period
The Golden Knights got their second power play of the game early in the middle frame, but it was the Hurricanes who had several shorthanded chances. However, seven seconds after Carolina’s successful kill, Howden did it again.
Ivan Barbashev delayed before hitting a streaking Howden at the blue line. Howden outmuscled Jaccob Slavin and then slid the puck around the outstretched leg of Andersen to give Vegas a 2-0 lead.
It was a gorgeous goal, and it was Vegas’ second on just six shots. It tied the franchise record for most goals in a single postseason, pulling even with Jonathan Marchessault, who scored 13 in 2023 en route to the Conn Smythe Trophy. It also surpassed Howden’s regular-season total of 12 goals. Howden now has 12 goals in his last 14 games.
As a result of the two-goal hole, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour changed up the lines to try to spark his team.
Still, Carolina struggled to get pucks on net with Vegas’ defensive structure firmly in place. The Golden Knights carried the 2-0 lead into the second intermission, marking the first time in 49 games that Carolina was held off the scoresheet through 40 minutes.
Third period
The Golden Knights got off to a strong start in the third period, getting sticks on everything, checking and neutralizing Carolina.
Vegas came close to extending its lead when Howden won yet another 50-50 race and Marner ripped one off the crossbar.
But the Hurricanes finally got to their game, and they certainly made it a game.
Carolina began to get sustained pressure with some strong forecheck play, generating several chances and stacking shifts. Hart took care of the first wave, getting help from teammates with some key blocks.
However, a careless decision by Rasmus Andersson behind the net opened the floodgates. Logan Stankoven stole the puck and beat Hart on the wraparound, which deflected off Lauzon on its way into the cage. This made it a 2-1 game with 9:40 remaining.
Stankoven’s 10th of the postseason brought the building back to life, and Mark Jankowski blew the roof off when he tied it at 2-2 just 2:26 later.
Former Golden Knights forward William Carrier made an incredible play at the blue line to keep the play onside, and Mark Jankowski collected it and beat Hart from the slot.
The Golden Knights appeared to take the lead shortly thereafter when Barbashev had several great looks, including a promising wraparound with Andersson sprawled out in the crease. However, Barbashev fanned on the shot, and though the puck eventually crossed the goal line, the referee waived the goal off. It was unclear during the broadcast whether it was from goaltender interference or because the referee lost sight of the puck and blew the whistle prior to it crossing the goal line.
However, it was later confirmed that the call on the ice was goaltender interference.
In any case, Tortorella elected to challenge the play. It was an exceptionally risky decision, and it didn’t make much sense given the circumstances. Not surprisingly, the Golden Knights lost the challenge, resulting in a Carolina power play.
Though Carolina’s power play has struggled throughout the playoffs and was clicking at just over 12 percent, it made the most of the moment.
Jordan Staal won the faceoff and then got a piece of Shayne Gostisbehere’s shot from the point, making it a 3-2 game with 4:35 remaining.
Carolina had scored three unanswered goals in the third period in the span of just 5:05.
It was a shocking turn of events, and the energy in the building was electric. Vegas looked overwhelmed, unable to set up in Carolina’s end as the clock continued to run.
Jackson Blake gave the Golden Knights an assist when he blatantly interfered with Barbashev in Carolina’s end, setting up Vegas’ third man-advantage of the night. The power play didn’t yield the desired outcome for the Golden Knights, but Vegas reset the score on the 6-on-5 just eight seconds after the power play expired.
It was none other than Mark Stone in front who tipped Marner’s deep shot. Slavin appeared to get a piece of it as well, but the puck made its way past Andersen to make it a 3-3 game with 1:21 remaining.
It was another remarkable turn of events, but the Golden Knights were able to dig deep, find the answer and force overtime.
Overtime
Both teams were undefeated in overtime this postseason, but only one could walk away with that record intact.
The Golden Knights were called for tripping when Tomas Hertl failed to clear the zone and then missed the puck, instead getting Staal’s skates and pulling the Carolina captain to the ice.
Once again, the Hurricanes made Vegas pay on the power play, as Gostisbehere set up Seth Jarvis for the one-timer. Hart was slow on the read and couldn’t get over in time, resulting in the game-winner for the home team.
The Hurricanes pulled off the rally and took Game 2 by a final score of 4-3.
This was a remarkable comeback by the Carolina Hurricanes, who may have saved their season by preventing Vegas from taking a 2-0 series lead on the road.
However, the Golden Knights were somewhat complicit in the final result.
Andersson’s turnover behind the net was completely unnecessary, as he cut back instead of getting the puck around the boards and out of the zone.
Even so, the Golden Knights were able to stop the bleeding in Game 1 when Carolina pushed back. That was not the case in Game 2. Tortorella didn’t call a timeout even though momentum had shifted. Carrier made a great play on the Jankowski goal, but the Golden Knights watched their two-goal lead evaporate in less than two and a half minutes.
It’s the playoffs. It happens.
Vegas responded by shaking it off and driving down the ice, as Barbashev came close to putting the puck in the net. If anything, this reminded the Golden Knights that there was still plenty of hockey left. They had blown the lead, but it was a 2-2 game late in the third. Game 1 had plenty of lead changes, and Vegas has faced enough adversity this postseason to be able to reset and get back to work.
Instead, Tortorella made a very questionable decision. It doesn’t matter how poorly Carolina’s power play has performed, and it doesn’t matter how fantastic Vegas’ penalty kill has been. Goaltender interference is notoriously unpredictable, and no one seems to have any real clarity on what constitutes interference or not.
It was a 2-2 game with five minutes remaining in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. This would have been a risky call in the preseason. At this point of the year, it’s a head-scratcher, to say the least.
But Tortorella stood by his decision after the game.
“I’d challenge that 10 out of 10 times,” he said.
The Golden Knights showed a lot of heart by evening things up after Carolina made it 3-2. The fact that the Golden Knights recovered on the road after that wild sequence of events says a lot about the character of this team. The captain leads by example, and he has been clutch for Vegas since he arrived.
However, the Hurricanes had the step early in overtime, and sloppy puck management led to an unfortunate trip by Hertl.
The amazing Vegas penalty kill that has been such a critical component of the club’s postseason success let the Golden Knights down in the end. Hart wasn’t able to get over quickly enough, and the shorthanded Golden Knights weren’t in control like they have been throughout the playoffs and like they were in Game 1. They were on the heels on the road against a team that was desperate had to win, and the top-line players for Carolina finally showed up.
Give the Hurricanes credit. They never went away, they never gave up, and they took advantage of Vegas’ mistakes, most notably the turnover behind the net, the challenge and Hertl’s trip.
This series is now tied at 1-1, and it was a pretty devastating loss for the Golden Knights.
That being said, the Golden Knights did what they had to do for the first 50 minutes, and they know how to respond to adversity.
They did so in the moment, and Stone’s goal should be a reassuring sign to this team.
Vegas entered this matchup as the much more battle-tested team. It almost proved to be enough, but the Hurricanes stepped up and pulled off an amazing comeback.
The Golden Knights were far too generous in the third period and overtime, and they’ll have to move on, make adjustments and come ready to play when the puck drops for Game 3.
Carolina won the special-teams battle. It’s clear Brind’Amour made changes to the power play as well as to the penalty kill, which returned to form as a stifling and unrelenting high-pressure unit, forcing Vegas to make poor decisons and preventing the Golden Knights from generating anything dangerous.
The outcome of the game overshadows a brilliant performance by Howden, who continues to refuse to be denied. He has been outstanding and has emerged as a Conn Smythe candidate for Vegas even if it’s still quite early.
Hart was great early but wasn’t able to make the extra save as the game wore on. He finished with 22 saves on 26 shots for an .846 save percentage. He’ll need to be much better as the series shifts to Vegas for Game 3 on Saturday.
Statistics courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Money Puck.
Photo via @Canes on X