Ehlers Fires 2 First-Period Goals, Putting Hurricanes Ahead 25 Seconds Into Game 1
Updated
Updated · WRAL News · Jun 3
Ehlers Fires 2 First-Period Goals, Putting Hurricanes Ahead 25 Seconds Into Game 1
3 articles · Updated · WRAL News · Jun 3
Nikolaj Ehlers struck 25 seconds into Game 1 and added a second first-period goal, giving Carolina a 2-0 Stanley Cup Final start against Vegas in Raleigh.
Jalen Chatfield set up Ehlers' second tally after the winger carried the opener coast-to-coast and beat Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart on Carolina's first shot.
Vegas cut the deficit to 2-1 on Keegan Kolesar's deflection, while Hart kept it close with a late breakaway stop on Logan Stankoven.
Carolina's fast opening extended a trend from the Eastern Conference final, where the Hurricanes scored first in all five games against Montreal.
Before puck drop, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman praised owner Tom Dundon and highlighted a $300 million Lenovo Center renovation as Raleigh hosts its first Cup Final in years.