Tomas Hertl took a backhand pass from Colton Sisson and beat Frederik Anderson from the slot with 3:24 left in the third period, lifting the Vegas Golden Knights past the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in Tuesday night’s opener of the Stanley Cup Final.
Hertl’s finish off Sisson’s feed from the right faceoff circle broke a 4-4 tie and pushed the Golden Knights ahead in an entertaining back-and-forth start on the sport’s biggest stage. It marked Vegas’ seventh straight win of the playoffs, starting with the last two games of the six-game second-round series against Anaheim and then the shocking four-game sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche.
That series included Vegas erasing a 3-0 deficit to take Game 3, and now the Golden Knights have followed by rallying from another multigoal deficit — this time 2-0 in the opening period — against the team that finished second only to the Avs in the regular season.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Thursday in Raleigh, with Vegas already having taken home-ice away from the Hurricanes as it chases a second Cup title in four seasons.
Shea Theodore, Ivan Barbashev, William Karlsson and Brett Howden also scored for Vegas, with Howden’s postseason-leading 11th score giving the Golden Knights a 4-3 lead just 1:21 into the third period. Carter Hart finished with 23 saves.
Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice for the Hurricanes, the first coming 25 seconds into the game when he got loose and a rush and blasted one past Hart from the left side on the game’s first shot. He followed with a breakaway that gave Carolina a 2-0 lead and sent a charged home crowd into an eruption in the team’s first Stanley Cup Final game in two decades.
Jordan Staal and Shayne Gostisbehere each scored tying goals after Vegas had pushed to a lead, with Gostisbehere skating in clean on the left side to blast one past Hart at 11:19 of the third period and tie it once more at 4.
SAN ANTONIO — The day before a highly anticipated NBA Finals, both the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs met with the media. Here are a few highlights of what was said.
Spurs' Dylan Harper on family members requesting tickets when the series moves close to his home in New York: "As much as they say those tickets are going to be there, there ain't going to be a lot of tickets going out."
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama on hangover from Western Conference Finals Game 7: "Coming back down from this is a challenge. It's not done yet. We still need to really come back down to earth and realize we haven't done the hardest yet. The job isn't done at all. So we still got about, I don't know, what time is it, like 30-plus hours to recenter."
Spurs' Stephon Castle on that Game 7 win: "I mean, honestly, I think it was a feel-good win for us. Playing the defending champs on the road in a Game 7 like that, it's hard to flush that out of the back of your mind, especially when you're the team that came out on top. We have a balance where we understand we can't get complacent or satisfied with that. We still have a job."
Knicks' Jalen Brunson on Wembanyama: "Watching him as a player, it's pretty unbelievable. Things he's able to do on both sides of the ball include people have never really seen before, for a person of his size. It's incredible to watch from a player's perspective."
Knicks' Landry Shamet on Karl Anthony-Towns: "I think he's lived through a number of different seasons within the season this year, where we've asked him to do some different things... KAT has been kind of coming into that role. When we got into the Playoffs, he's been a fantastic facilitator, playmaker at the top of the floor for us. Been really aggressive offensively, as well. Been asked to defend at a high level, and he's done that.
Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns on what it means to help the Knicks return to the Finals: "It means a lot for my mother. When she emigrated from [the Dominican Republic] to New York, she saw Madison Square Garden for the first time and saw the energy the city has for Madison Square Garden and the Knicks. My mom, even to the day she passed, wasn't big on the NBA rules, but one thing she did know was that only the best of the best perform and play at Madison Square Garden. To be able to have this moment in Knicks history where we're back here, where New York has been hungry to be back in this Finals, it means a lot. It means a lot to me, my loved ones, to be part of the Knicks history that's doing this."
Spurs' Devin Vassell on the Knicks beating them twice during the season: "We feel like the Knicks have played us really well this year. We went into their house and they beat us. They beat us in the in-season tournament. They beat us last year on Christmas. We feel like we've got to get some get-back because they've been successful against us."
Spurs Harper, on being compared to Manu Ginobili: "I think that's a fair comparison to say. I think it's an accurate comparison. We're both lefties, big guards. Yeah, I've had a lot of conversations with him, especially when I first got here. Me and him kind of talked a lot about the role of the team and what to do, things of that nature. I think he's kind of, more than anyone for me, been that vet that's been around the Spurs for a long time and kind of just giving me insight of what he's been through."
Josh Hart on first meeting fellow Villanova guys Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges (delivered with Hart's trademark deadpan humor): "I hated Jalen. I thought he was one of them annoying five-star recruits that come in entitled. Unfortunately, he was the opposite, and we sparked a friendship...
"Mikal was the same way. I hated him, too. He came in, we obviously played a similar position, especially in college, and he was weaker, more frail than I was, so he would grab me and I hated it. Obviously, love those guys now."
It was in the summer of 2024 that the Detroit Red Wings signed veteran goaltender Cam Talbot to a two-year, $5 million contract after opting not to re-sign James Reimer.
Over the next two seasons, Talbot enjoyed varying degrees of success with the Red Wings, providing a steady, calming presence in goal while also stealing several games and valuable points for them.
However, Talbot will be 39 years old by the time next season starts. With young goaltenders Sebastian Cossa and Michal Postava knocking on the door from Grand Rapids, Talbot's time with the Red Wings is likely through.
Looking back on his tenure in Detroit, what were his top standout moments?
42-Save Shutout In Red Wings Debut - October 12, 2024
Talbot's first official action with the Red Wings was in relief of Ville Husso during their 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Opening Night, but he was given the start in their next game against the Nashville Predators.
He turned in a gem of a performance in his first full game in the Winged Wheel, turning aside all 42 shots from the Predators and picking up the 32nd shutout of his NHL career.
28-Save Shutout Against Potent Lightning Offense - January 25, 2025
Thanks to a stingy performance between the pipes, Talbot became the first goaltender since 2023 to deny the Lightning a single goal during an NHL game.
It was the 33rd shutout of his career.
He made 28 saves, including seven saves alone on sniper Nikita Kucherov, who entered the game on an 11-game point streak.
Clutch 38-Save Performance Against Maple Leafs - October 13, 2025
The Red Wings, who had defeated the Maple Leafs two days earlier thanks to 20 saves from Talbot at Little Caesars Arena, concluded the short two-game series against their Original 6 rival with another win.
This time, it was Talbot who stole the game for the Red Wings, making 38 saves on the 40 shots he faced, enabling a late regulation goal from Mason Appleton.
Talbot was easily the game's first star, and it would be the second of four straight wins against the Maple Leafs in their season series.
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HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 31: Cam Smith #11 of the Houston Astros bats in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Daikin Park on May 31, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (27-34), who are 7-3 in their last 10 games, will continue their nine-game homestand tonight as they open a three-game series against their former divisional opponent, the Pittsburgh Pirates (32-28).
RHP Mike Burrows (3-6, 5.40 ERA), who was acquired from the Pirates this offseason, will open the series against his former club tonight opposite Pirates hard-throwing starter RHP Bubba Chandler (1-6, 4.85 ERA).
ABOUT BURROWS: For the first time in his career, RHP Mike Burrows is facing his former team, the Pirates, an organization he was drafted by in 2018 and spent his first eight years with as a professional.
VS. THE PIRATES: The Astros are hosting the Pirates in Houston for their first series in the Bayou City since July of 2024.
Since the Astros moved to the AL in 2013, the Astros and Pirates have split their 18 matchups evenly with nine wins apiece. Historically, these teams have played each other 718 times, with the Astros going 348-370.
LOU GEHRIG DAY: The Astros, in coordination with MLB, will honor and raise awareness for ALS today for the sixth annual Lou Gehrig Day.
On the field, all players, managers, coaches and umpires will wear a special “4” decal on their uniforms.
Off the field, the Astros will have informational tabling on the concourse for select ALS associations, and will have pregame ceremonies and a first pitch in honor of Lou Gehrig Day.
WELCOME BACK MURPH!: The Astros would like to welcome back Pirates pitching coach Bill Murphy, who previously worked for the Astros for the last 10 seasons (2016-25).
During his time with the Astros, Murphy had a variety of roles within the organization, serving as a minor league coach and minor league pitching coordinator before joining the Major League staff as the assistant pitching coach in 2021.
Murphy was elevated to the pitching coach role in 2022, helping the cub to a World Series championship that season.
ASTROS ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have made the following roster moves:
• LHP Josh Hader was reinstated from the 60-day IL.
• IF Carlos Correa was transferred to the 60-day IL.
• OF Zach Cole was recalled from Triple A.
• IF Braden Shewmake was placed on the 10-day IL with a right adductor strain (retro to 5/31).
• Announced yesterday, RHP Logan VanWey was optioned to Triple A.
FOR STARTERS: Astros starters have a combined ERA of 3.33 (34ER/92IP) over the last 16 games (since May 15) with a 1.05 WHIP. In that span, they have allowed just 55 hits in 92.0 innings for a Major League-best .173 opponent average, while also ranking third in the AL in WHIP and third in ERA.
MAY-KING HIS CASE: RHP Spencer Arrighetti has made a strong case for the AL Pitcher of the Month award for May, going 4-1 with a 0.93 ERA (3ER/29IP) and a .165 opponent average (16×97) in five starts in the month. In May, he posted the lowest ERA and opponent average among AL starters, while ranking tied for first in wins.
THERE IS A SANTA!: RHP Alimber Santa (pronounced saun-tuh) has retired 15 consecutive batters through three appearances to open his MLB career. Per Elias, this is a franchise record and Santa is the first pitcher to do so since RHP Bryce Miller of the Mariners retired his first 16 batters faced in his MLB debut on May 2, 2023 at OAK.
ON THE LEADER BOARD: DH Yordan Alvarez leads the Majors in total bases (137) and owns a share for the AL lead in homers (20). Also in the AL, he ranks second in extra-base hits (32), second in OPS (1.050), second in SLG (.634), second in OBP (.416), fifth in batting avg. (.301), tied for fifth in hits (65), sixth in RBI (39), and tied for sixth in walks (39).
HIT PAREDES: 3B Isaac Paredes recorded his 500th career hit on Sunday vs. MIL, becoming just the 10th Mexican-born player in MLB history to reach the milestone. Three of those 10 players have played portions of their careers with the Astros in Paredes (500 hits), 3B Vinny Castilla (1,884 hits) and C Alex Treviño (604 hits).
MAKING THE PLAYS: The Astros have committed the fewest errors in the AL (21) and also lead the AL in fielding percentage (.990). Their 21 errors committed tie as the second-fewest in the Majors with the Dodgers and trail only the Padres (18).
ON THE MEND: OF Joey Loperfido has played in five games on his current minor league rehab assignment, last playing on Sunday at Triple A and going 2×4 in a start in left field.
Loperfido has been sidelined since April 18 with a right quad strain.
MINOR LEAGUE HONORS: The Astros had a pair of minor leaguers win their league’s weekly awards for the week of May 25-31.
LHP Colton Gordon won the Triple A Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week after tossing 6.0 shutout innings in a start on Wednesday vs. OKC.
OF Kevin Alvarez, the Astros top prospect, was named the Class A Carolina League Player of the Week going 12×21 (.571) with six doubles, seven runs scored, three RBI and two walks in six games for the Woodpeckers.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1966 – Tied 3-3 thru 11 innings, the Astros break out with an eight-run 12th en route to an 11-4 win over the Reds in Cincinnati. In the 12th, the Astros set a franchise record with eight consecutive hits in the inning (all singles). Also in the game, Joe Morgan walks in five straight plate appearances, which ties the franchise record for a single game.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Tuesday, June 2, 7:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network, SCHN2 (Spanish)
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
HOUSTON (AP) — All-Star closer Josh Hader was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday by Houston after sitting out all season, giving the Astros bullpen a major boost.
The left-hander had been out with left biceps tendinitis. He made nine minor league rehabilitation appearances to prepare for his return.
Hader, who is in his third season with the Astros, had a 2.05 ERA with 28 saves in 48 games last season. He was named to his sixth All-Star game last season.
In other moves on Tuesday, the Astros recalled outfielder Zach Cole from Triple-A Sugar Land and placed infielder Braden Shewmake on the 10-day injured list with a right adductor strain retroactive to Sunday.
They also transferred infielder Carlos Correa, who is out for the season after left ankle surgery, to the 60-day injured list.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 27: Trevor McDonald #72 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants continue this four-game road series against the Milwaukee Brewers tonight.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Trevor McDonald, who enters tonight’s game with a 4.34 ERA, 3.26 FIP, with 27 strikeouts to six walks in 29 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 3-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks last Wednesday, in which he allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks in six and a third innings.
He’ll be facing off against Forever Giant and left-hander Kyle Harrison, who enters tonight’s game with a 1.57 ERA, 2.46 FIP, with 61 strikeouts to 14 walks in 51.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Brewers’ 6-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals last Tuesday, in which he allowed just four hits with two strikeouts in six innings.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 21: Dustin May #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning at Busch Stadium on May 21, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers will tangle again Tuesday night as Dustin May will try to match his excellent last start for the Cardinals while Nathan Eovaldi will take the mound for the Rangers. First pitch is set for 6:45pm central time at Busch Stadium. Game broadcast will be handled by Cardinals.tv. The lineup has a “Backyard Baseball” kind of vibe to it.
The Los Angeles Kings, still watching the playoffs from home, will have their former defenseman competing in his first Stanley Cup game tonight as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1.
For the last few weeks, all the news has centered on which coach the Kings will hire and who they will interview for the job, but tonight they will root for former players Sean Walker and Brayden McNabb, who were ex-defensemen for the Kings, who will look to get it done in the Stanley Cup.
The Carolina Hurricanes have been virtually unbeatable this postseason, posting a 12-1 record in the Eastern Conference and now heading into the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 2006.
Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights have been the biggest surprises of the postseason after firing their Stanley Cup-winning head coach, Bruce Cassidy. Interim head coach John Tortorella led them past Anaheim and Utah and swept No. 1 seed Colorado Avalanche to return to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Sean Walker - Carolina Hurricanes
In the meantime, Walker has quietly played the best season of his career at 31, finishing with 9 goals, 22 assists, and 31 points in 81 games, all career highs in his eighth season as a pro hockey player.
The Los Angeles Kings had the Canadian defenseman for five seasons, from 2018-2023, before trading him to the Philadelphia Flyers in the offseason. He spent half a season there after being dealt again at the trade deadline to the Colorado Avalanche.
Walker's time with the Kings was long, but he could never consistently play on the ice for LA, mostly due to injury. He suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee in the 2021-22 season, when he played just six games.
The 30-year-old defenseman bounced back the following year, playing 70 games and posting solid numbers, but it was clear the Kings wanted to move in a different direction after five seasons.
Now, playing on his fourth team in eight seasons, Walker has finally found a home after signing a five-year, $18 million deal in 2024. Playing in the Stanley Cup final for the first time, he's been one of the key pieces for a Carolina team that's been looking to get over the hump for years.
If the Hurricanes win the Cup, Walker's defensive contributions for Carolina throughout the season will help elevate his status as one of the league's best defensemen.
Brayden McNabb - Vegas Golden Knights
On the other side, Los Angeles will have another former defenseman who is playing against their divisional rival, the Vegas Golden Knights. The Kings acquired McNabb in the 2014 trade deadline from the Buffalo Sabers and had him for three seasons between 2014-2017 before Vegas selected Brayden in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.
McNabb has been playing for Vegas for half a decade. In his ninth season with the Golden Knights, he won his first Stanley Cup in 2023 and was named the recipient of the team's Seventh Player Award for the 2023–24 season, voted on by fans to recognize a player who exceeded expectations.
The 35-year-old veteran clearly isn't the same player he once was a few years ago, but his locker room presence and playoff experience give Vegas an advantage in this series against a Hurricanes team that's never been here before.
Now, with McNabb aiming to win his second Stanley Cup title with the Golden Knights, will Walker stop that feat and win his first Cup? But regardless of which club emerges victorious, a former King will once again skate away with hockey's ultimate prize.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Title will air tonight at 5 P.M. PT on ABC as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Vegas Golden Knights.
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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 27: Bubba Chandler #36 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park on May 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pitching Matchup: Bubba Chandler (1-6, 4.85 ERA) vs. Mike Burrows (3-6, 5.40 ERA)
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the road today against the Houston Astros looking to grab a win.
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