The Golden Knights take Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in double OT, Andrei Vasilevskiy wins the Vezina Trophy, an update on prospect winger Gavin McKenna, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Shea Theodore scored in double overtime to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 5-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Vegas Golden Knights winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
After a scoreless first period, the Golden Knights took a 4-0 lead as Mitch Marner tallied a natural hat trick and collected an assist on Tomas Hertl’s goal after they had two goals overturned on video reviews.
However, the Hurricanes stormed back in the third period on goals by Jordan Martinook, Taylor Hall, and Jordan Staal within 39 seconds, setting the stage for Andrei Svechnikov’s tying goal late in the period following a goalmouth scramble.
Game 4 will be in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The first three games in this series have been very entertaining, with blown leads and each contest decided by one goal.
Theodore’s goal was a weird one. His point shot missed the net, ricocheting off the end boards and deflecting into the Hurricanes’ net off the skate of goalie Brandon Bussi, who replaced starter Frederic Andersen following the second period.
Marner continues to make the case as the leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. His hat trick was the fastest in Stanley Cup Final history (6:10), and he became the first player with four points in a period during the Cup Final. He leads all scorers in his postseason with 28 points.
Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb played in this game with a protective cage on his helmet. He left Game 2 with facial injuries that required a trip to a local hospital for repairs.
Hurricanes winger William Carrier left this game late in the first period with an upper-body injury.
NHL.COM: Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Vezina Trophy as this season’s top NHL goaltender. He led the league with 39 wins, and was second among goalies with 45 starts in goals-against average (2.31) and save percentage (.912). It’s the second time Vasilevskiy has won the Vezina, taking home the award in 2018-19.
NHL.COM: Gavin McKenna was among the top performers during fitness testing at the 2026 NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo. The 18-year-old Penn State winger ranked among the top-20 in seven events. He’s considered the top player in this year’s prospect class.
North Dakota defenseman Keaton Verhoeff finished in the top 10 in three categories. He’s ranked fifth among North American skaters. Brampton Steelheads center Caleb Malhotra was in the top 10 in four categories. He’s ranked sixth among North American skaters.
Top International skater Ivar Stenberg skipped the testing due to an illness. He said he hasn’t felt well since completing play with Sweden in the IIHF World Championship on May 28.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The fitness testing doesn’t guarantee that McKenna will be chosen first overall, but his results will certainly be taken into consideration by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who hold the first overall pick in this year’s draft.
Stenberg’s illness isn’t expected to affect his placement among the top prospects. Some scouts believe he could go first overall in this year’s draft, while others have him at second or third overall.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has terminated his KHL contract and hopes to return to the NHL next season.
Georgiev, 30, spent eight seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Avalanche, and San Jose Sharks. He won 40 games with the Avs in 2022-23 and led the league with 38 games the following season. However, Georgiev struggled with consistency during that season and early in the 2024-25 campaign, leading to his trade to the Sharks, where his difficulties continued.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Georgiev went to the KHL after failing to land a contract in last summer’s NHL free-agent market. Given the lack of quality goalies in this year’s UFA market, Georgiev might land with an NHL team desperate for experienced goaltending depth.
CBC NEWS: Former NHL enforcer Link Gaetz remains at large after police in British Columbia announced charges against him in an alleged attack on a taxi driver in Metro Vancouver.
Gaetz, 57, faces charges of assault and mischief under $5,000 in an unprovoked attack on the taxi driver last September. Police are urging the public to help them find him.
NHL.COM: Former NHL player Gerry Meehan passed away on Friday at age 79.
Meehan spent 10 seasons in the NHL from 1968-69 to 1978-79 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres, Washington Capitals, Vancouver Canucks, and Atlanta Flames. He also spent a season with the WHA’s Cincinnati Stingers.
In 670 regular-season games, Meehan had 180 goals and 243 assists for 423 points. He was the second captain in Sabres history.
Following his playing career, Meehan earned his law degree and rejoined the Sabres as an assistant general manager. He was general manager from 1986-87 to 1992-93, making a series of blockbuster trades for Dale Hawerchuk, Pat LaFontaine, and Dominik Hasek, and helped bring Alexander Mogilny to Buffalo following his defection from the Soviet Union in 1989.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Meehan’s family, friends, former teammates, and the Sabres organization.