Stanley Cup Final 2026 live score: Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights updates, results, highlights from Game 1

By | June 2, 2026
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The 2026 Stanley Cup Final commences tonight as the best from the East and the best from the West battle for the ultimate prize.

The Vegas Golden Knights made waves at the end of the season when they fired head coach Bruce Cassidy to hire John Tortorella just weeks before the postseason began. That decision paid off, as the Golden Knights went 12-4 in the first three rounds of the playoffs, including a shocking sweep of the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final.

Of all the big names on the Golden Knights, Mitch Marner will be under the biggest spotlight. Marner is in his first year with Vegas after a tumultuous tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he has excelled in the postseason thus far. Marner leads all players in playoff points with 21, while Brett Howden and Pavel Dorofeyev are tied for the league lead in playoff goals with 10 each.

STREAM: Watch Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals on DirecTV

However, Vegas will have to go through a Carolina Hurricanes team that is back in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in two decades.

Led by Rod Brind’Amour, the Hurricanes are the model of consistency, having made the playoffs in each of the last eight seasons. In that span, Carolina won a series in seven of those playoff runs and made three Eastern Conference Finals before finally breaking through this year.

Carolina goalie Frederik Andersen has been outstanding in the playoffs, leading all goalies with a 1.41 goals-against average. The Hurricanes’ offense includes veteran Taylor Hall, who has 16 points in the playoffs, and Logan Stankoven, who leads the team with nine goals.

With the game in Raleigh, the Hurricanes will hope to retain home-ice advantage, while the Golden Knights will look to steal Game 1 on the road.

The Sporting News is tracking live scores, updates, and highlights from Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Golden Knights and Hurricanes. Follow along for full updates from Lenovo Arena.

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Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights score

Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights updates, results, highlights from Game 1

Hurricanes 2, Golden Knights 2

9:21 p.m.: GOAL! Ivan Barbashev ties the game right away in the second period  off a great pass by Jack Eichel.

9:20 p.m.: The second period is underway with Carolina up a goal.

End of first period: Hurricanes 2, Golden Knights 1

9:02 p.m.: The first period comes to a close with more push by the Hurricanes. Carolina has controlled the game so far, but Vegas should feel ok being down just one.

8:55 p.m.: Carolina can’t capitalize on the power play while Vegas gets a chance immediately at full strength, but Andersen makes the save.

8:51 p.m.: Brett Howden is called for a penalty sending Carolina to the first power play of the series.

Hurricanes 2, Golden Knights 1

8:50 p.m.: GOAL! Vegas responds with a quick goal as Shea Theodore’s shot is deflected into the net.

Hurricanes 2, Golden Knights 0

8:45 p.m.: GOAL! Ehlers strikes again on a breakaway as Carolina extends the lead. 

8:39 p.m.: The Hurricanes have the advantage early on as they’ve gotten pressure on Hart, with Vegas stuck at just one shot this far.

8:32 p.m.: Things have settled a bit after that first goal as each side now has a shot on goal through five minutes.

Hurricanes 1, Golden Knights 0

8:25 p.m.: GOAL! Nikolaj Ehlers scores 25 seconds into the game by beating Carter Hart on a 2-on-1. Carolina has an early lead.

8:24 p.m.: We are underway from Raleigh! 

8:10 p.m.: And this is how the Golden nights will line up for Game 1 in Raleigh.

8:03 p.m.: Here’s what the lines look like for Carolina tonight.

7:45 p.m.: The Hurricanes are on a dominant run, as they have only lost one game en route to winning the Eastern Conference.

7:30 p.m.: The Golden Knights are ready as they look to steal Game 1 on the road.

7:15 p.m.: North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick will be in attendance to night as a friend to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. 

7:00 p.m.: The Hurricanes will once again be wearing their black uniforms at home.

6:25 p.m.: Eric Staal and Kon Knueppel will serve as the siren sounders in Raleigh tonight.

How to watch Stanley Cup Finals Game 1

Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights start time

  • Date: Tuesday, June 2
  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Hurricanes and Golden Knights will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET from the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights TV Channel

  • TV Channel: ABC, Sportsnet
  • Live stream: DirecTV

ABC has coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals this year in the United States as Sean McDonough and Ray Ferraro will be on the call. In Canada, the game will be on Sportsnet as Chris Cuthbert and Craig Simpson will be the broadcasting teams.

Fans looking for an alternate streaming option can turn to DirecTV.

Stanley Cup Finals 2026 schedule

Date Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
June 2 Game 1: Golden Knights @ Hurricanes 8:00 p.m. ABC, Sportsnet, DirecTV
June 4 Game 2: Golden Knights @ Hurricanes 8:00 p.m. ABC, Sportsnet, DirecTV
June 6 Game 3: Hurricanes @ Golden Knights 8:00 p.m. ABC, Sportsnet, DirecTV
June 9 Game 4: Hurricanes @ Golden Knights 8:00 p.m. ABC, Sportsnet, DirecTV
June 11 Game 5: Golden Knights @ Hurricanes 8:00 p.m. ABC, Sportsnet, DirecTV
June 14 Game 6: Hurricanes @ Golden Knights 8:00 p.m. ABC, Sportsnet, DirecTV
June 17 Game 7: Golden Knights @ Hurricanes 8:00 p.m. ABC, Sportsnet, DirecTV

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