If you thought Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final was wild, just look at Game 2 on Thursday, June 4.
The Carolina Hurricanes had a massive rally to take a lead in the third period, which featured a controversial no-goal and challenge. They then gave up a late tying goal, but Seth Jarvis beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in overtime as Carolina's struggling power play came to life.
The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 with Game 3 on Saturday, June 6, in Las Vegas (8 p.m. ET, ABC).
The Golden Knights led 2-0 after two periods on back-to-back goals by Brett Howden, his NHL-leading 12th and 13th of the playoffs.
The Hurricanes seemed headed to a 2-0 series deficit before Logan Stankoven stole a puck and scored to make it 2-1. Mark Jankowski tied the game. Then the controversy happened.
The Golden Knights appeared to put the puck in the net after Frederik Andersen made back-to-back saves, but the whistle blew first and it was ruled no goal because of that and goaltender interference.
Vegas coach John Tortorella challenged and lost, giving the Hurricanes a power play. Carolina got a rare man-advantage goal - from Jordan Staal - for a 3-2 lead. But Mark Stone tied the score on a play on which Jaccob Slavin appeared to put the puck in his own net.
And the winning goal came from Jarvis, who had been moved off the Hurricanes' struggling top line during the game.
USA TODAY Sports provided live updates from Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights. Here are highlights:
Seth Jarvis scores the winner on a one-timer on the power play. That's two power play goals for the Hurricanes in this game and entering the series at a 12.5% success rate. And more important, a member of the Hurricanes' struggling top line gets a key goal.
Tomas Hertl is called for tripping and the Hurricanes win.
Both teams are unbeaten in overtime.
Wild period. The Hurricanes, seemingly left for deal, storm back and take a 3-2 lead. But Mark Stone ties it to force overtime.
He scores after the power play ends to make it 3-3. Jaccob Slavin appears to knock it into his own net.
Frederik Andersen makes a glove save with six seconds left in the power play.
Jackson Blake is called for interference with 3:20 left.
And the Hurricanes lead 3-2 as he deflects a Shaye Gostisbehere shot.
They get power play after the unsuccessful change and they score.
Golden Knights challenge but the no goal call is upheld. That means Hurricanes will go on the power play.
He sprawls and makes back-to-back saves. The puck goes into the net, but the whistle blows.
His shot beats Carter Hart high glove side. Hurricanes 2, Golden Knights 2
He steals a puck, comes in front and his backhander banks off Jeremy Lauzon and past Carter Hart. Golden Knights 2, Hurricanes 1
2-0 Golden Knights. Carolina applying some pressure. They'll need more of that.
They get Carter Hart moving around. He slashed Jordan Staal after a collision.
He steals the puck and feeds Mitch Marner, whose shot hits the crossbar.
Golden Knights lead 4-1 in shots in the period, not what Carolina needs.
2-0 Vegas. The Golden Knights are 8-0 in the playoffs when leading after two periods.
He was drafted in the first round in 2016 by the Tampa Bay Lightning but never played for them. He was traded to the New York Rangers in the Ryan McDonagh deal and played three seasons there before joining the Golden Knights in a 2021 trade. He won a Cup in 2023. His top regular season is 17 goals (twice). His 13 goals this postseason ties a Golden Knights record.
The Golden Knights played that period without injured Brayden McNabb and still managed to hold the Hurricanes without a goal. In the meantime, Brett Howden scored his second goal of the game and had another chance. He's jumping to the front of the Conn Smythe Trophy talk with 13 goals this playoffs.
His shot is stopped by Carter Hart. Aho is better this game, but he and the team don't have any goals to show for it.
2-0 Vegas. Shots are 14-11 Carolina.
Jordan Martinook breaks a stick on a slash. Vegas is 0-for-2 but scored right after the second one. Golden Knights get no shots on his power play. Still 2-0 Golden Knights.
Jordan Martinook now playing in Seth Jarvis' place on the top line with Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov.
A great display of strength for Brett Howden as he has both goals in this game. He has a league-best 13 goals, topping his regular season total of 12. He beat defenseman extraordinaire Jaccob Slavin on the second goal.
Right after the power play ended, Brett Howden outmuscles defenseman Jaccob Slavin and makes a slick move to beat Frederik Andersen. Golden Knights 2, Hurricanes 0
K'Andre Miller is called for interference. Jordan Martinook is stopped on a short-handed rush. Sebastian Aho is also stopped. Penalty is killed.
ABC reported that Brayden McNabb has gone to the hospital for further evaluation. He was hit up high by a shot and left the game.
1-0 Golden Knights.
The Hurricanes holding the Golden Knights to two shots in th efirst period was a good thing. The problem is the Golden Knights scored on one of those shots. Brett Howden continued his playoff tear by winning a battle against Sean Walker, gathering in a flip pass from Mitch Marner and scoring his 12th playoff goal. That matches his regular season total. Carolina had its chances, but Carter Hart stopped them. The only drawback for Vegas is that defenseman Brayden McNabb went to the dressing room after taking a shot off the visor that appeared to injure his nose.
Jordan Staal is called for holding. He's a key penalty killer. But the Golden Knights don't really get set up and the penalty is killed.
Colton Sissons is called for roughing. The Hurricanes don't score as their power-play woes continue.
He's tangled up with Sean Walker, breaks free, gathers in a Mitch Marner flip pass and scores against Frederik Andersen. That's his 12th goal of the playoffs, matching his total from the regular season. Golden Knights 1, Hurricanes 0
He's hit in the visor by a hard shot by Nikolaj Ehlers from the point and goes to the dressing room while holding his nose. McNabb had three assists in Game 1.
Andrei Svechnikov is stopped on a wraparound.
Jordan Martinook tries to get to a loose puck in the crease, but Carter Hart covers the puck.
Still scoreless. Shots are 1-1.
The Hurricanes' struggling top line draws a penalty as Seth Jarvis is tripped by Dylan Coghlan. Hurricanes change up the power play a little. One shot and penalty is killed.
Scoreless after two minutes. There was a Carolina goal at 25 seconds in Game 1.
Golden Knights will try to take a 2-0 series lead while the Hurricanes will try to tie the series.
Cam Ward, the goalie when Carolina won the Stanley Cup in 2006.
Just like in Game 1, it will be Vegas' Jack Eichel line against Carolina's Jordan Staal line.
When is Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final?
Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final will be at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 4, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
What channel is Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final?
Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final will be broadcast on ABC.
Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes: How to watch, stream
- Date: Thursday, June 4
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Lenovo Center (Raleigh, North Carolina)
- TV:ABC
- Streaming: Fubo
Hurricanes' Frederik Andersen (12-1, 1.65, .920) vs. Golden Knights' Carter Hart (13-4, 2.33, .921). Neither goalie stood out in Game 1.
All times p.m. ET
Golden Knights lead series 1-0
- Game 1: Golden Knights 5, Hurricanes 4
- Game 2: Thursday, June 4, Vegas at Carolina, 8, ABC
- Game 3: Saturday, June 6, Carolina at Vegas, 8, ABC
- Game 4: Tuesday, June 9, Carolina at Vegas, 8, ABC
- x-Game 5: Thursday, June 11, Vegas at Carolina, 8, ABC
- x-Game 6: Sunday, June 14, Carolina at Vegas, 8, ABC
- x-Game 7: Wednesday, June 17, Vegas at Carolina, 8, ABC
- Jace Evans: Hurricanes 4, Golden Knights 2
- Mike Brehm: Hurricanes 3, Golden Knights 2
The Golden Knights have won seven in a row. In three of the last four games, including Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, they have come from behind. They trailed 2-0 in Game 1 and overcame a 3-0 deficit against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.
The Hurricanes haven't lost two games in a row at home since Jan. 1 and Jan. 3 in regular season. Combining the regular season and playoffs, the Hurricanes are 23-7-0 after a loss in 2025-26. That .767 winning percentage leads the league.
Vegas' Brett Howden leads the NHL playoffs with 11 goals in 17 games during the postseason. He had 12 goals in 58 games during the regular season. He has four years left on his deal at a $2.5 million cap hit.
The Sebastian Aho-Andrei Svechnikov-Seth Jarvis combined for 216 points in the regular season. They have 22 points in the playoffs. They had no points and five shots in Game 1.
Detroit Red Wings star center Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman and other news organizations.
That's a stunning development, adding a major name that teams can pursue in the offseason, especially with a thin free-agent market. He has five years left on his contract.
Larkin has been captain of the Red Wings since 2021. He's a six-time 30-goal scorer, including the last five seasons. He also was a standout for the USA at the Olympics and the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The Red Wings' 10-season playoff drought is now the longest in the NHL after the Buffalo Sabres clinched a postseason spot. Larkin hasn't been in the postseason since his rookie year in 2015-16.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden Knights vs Hurricanes highlights: Carolina wins Game 2 in OT
