Key facts
- Vegas Golden Knights defeated Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
- Tomas Hertl scored the game-winning goal for Vegas.
- Hertl had previously been in a 29-game goal drought.
- Joe Pavelski offered Hertl advice during his slump.
The Vegas Golden Knights secured a 5-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Carolina taking an early lead. However, Vegas battled back, and Tomas Hertl scored what proved to be the game-winning goal. This goal was particularly significant as Hertl had been experiencing a 29-game goal drought earlier in the postseason. He revealed that his former San Jose Sharks teammate, Joe Pavelski, called him to offer advice, which he believes helped him break out of his slump. Hertl scored in subsequent games against Anaheim and then in Game 3 against the Avalanche before his game-winner against Carolina. Brett Howden also contributed significantly, leading the team with 11 goals in the postseason.