RALEIGH – Tomas Hertl scored with just over three minutes left in regulation on Tuesday night to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 5-4 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, and a 1-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup Final.
Colton Sissons sent a behind-the-back pass to Hertl who cut left across the slot for the winner.
The Canes had taken a 2-0 lead in the first period on a double by Nikolaj Ehlers with just 25 seconds gone in the series, and then again at 12:08 of the first for the 2-0 advantage.
Vegas rallied back on three straight goals to take a 3-2 lead.
Eric Robinson was credited with a deflection off the left shinguard to make it 2-1 after the first period.
Ivan Barbashev tied the game, 2-2, with only 30 seconds gone in the middle frame.
Mitch Marner then set up William Karlsson to give the Knights a 3-2 lead.
Carolina replied with a strike by Jordan Staal to get the game tied, 3-3, headed to the third.
Eighty-one seconds into the third period, Brett Howden restored the Vegas lead at 4-3 with a goal off a deflection of a pass from Shea Theodore.
Carolina responded again, this time with a goal from Shayne Gostisbehere just past the midway p[point of the third.
Frederik Andersen made 18 saves in the loss.