Golden Knights were the NHL’s best 3rd-period team until 2 Hurricanes comebacks

Golden Knights were the NHLs best 3rd-period team until 2 Hurricanes comebacks Vegas paid for it in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at Carolina and barely escaped after an even more improbable Hurricanes comeback in Game 3.

By Mark Anderson, Associated PressCarolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi, right, stops a shot by Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson during overtime in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Las Vegas.

Vegas paid for it in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at Carolina and barely escaped after an even more improbable Hurricanes comeback in Game 3.

The Golden Knights 5-4 double-overtime victory Saturday night put them two wins from their second Stanley Cup in four years.

To get there, they will not only need to get ahead, but stay there, beginning with Game 4 on Tuesday in Las Vegas.That generally hasnt been a problem for the Golden Knights, whose plus-47 goal differential in the regular season was the leagues best.

They also were adept and closing out games in the playoffs, posting an NHL-leading plus-10 differential before Game 2 on Thursday night.Then came a lost 2-0 lead that night and 4-0 advantage that was erased on Saturday.

Both leads held well into the third period.Its playoff hockey, Vegas coach John Tortorella said Sunday.

A lot of stuff happens.

Im not concerned about it.

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall, left, scores on Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Las Vegas.

In both games, the Golden Knights appeared to be in full control as the minutes in the third period were ticking down.

Their defense in Game 2 kept the Hurricanes from mounting much of a threat until Carolina finally broke through with three goals.

The Golden Knights seemed even more in control in Game 3, with Carolina coach Rod BrindAmour appearing to concede by changing goalies after the second period.The Golden Knights could very well be up 3-0 and going for the sweep, but the feeling is similar on the other side.

Carolina blew its own lead in the opener, scoring two quick goals in the first period only to let Vegas rally.Were one shot away from being 3-0 in two games, BrindAmour said.

So I think theres a ton of positives.

Theyre a good team.

Theyve got good players.We couldve won this game.

Teams with 2-1 series leads in the Stanley Cup Final have gone on to win 80.7% of the time.

But if the Hurricanes win Tuesday, suddenly its a best-of-three with potentially two of those games at Carolina, including what would be a winner-take-all Game 7.

The Hurricanes can look at how Game 3 ended and wonder how differently the series might be playing out.Shea Theodore shot the puck off the boards and got a perfect bounce as the puck deflected off the back of goalie Brandon Bussis skate and went into the net.

It was Carolinas second own-goal of the game.Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi, right, is scored on by Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nikolaj Ehlers as defenseman Alexander Nikishin watches during the second overtime in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Las Vegas.

With the game scoreless in the second period, the Golden Knights had two goals wiped out by Carolina challenges, the first for offside and the second for goalie interference.The Hurricanes tying goal came on a mad scramble in front of Carter Harts net, and Tortorella opted not to challenge for goaltender interference.

He said the officials got all three calls correct, but was still fuming about his failed challenge for goaltender interference in a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 2.The one the other night was wrong, Tortorella said.

I dont care what any of you guys said.

It was wrong.

The puck was there and it was poked.I dont know what all this crap and this rule, you cant overrule the official, some of the stuff you guys talk about, its ridiculous.

I just wish we had the rule that if the puck wasnt tied up and it went in the net, its a good goal.

In addition to the video reviews that went the other way, the Golden Knights had chances to build on their four-goal lead.Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner, center, scores on Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen, left, as left wing William Carrier watches during the second period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Las Vegas.

Mitch Marner, whose hat trick in the second period was the fastest in Cup Final history at 6:10, was turned away early in the third period on a breakaway and soon after on a penalty shot.Even when Mitch had the penalty shot, Im thinking, we need to score that one, Tortorella said.

Im not lying to you because they came back and scored four.

Im thinking, we need another one just to keep on going.

The Golden Knights found a way to survive, and now they hope after Tuesday they will be just one win from taking it all.I think at the end of the day were a resilient group, Theodore said.

Weve had I dont know how many comebacks in the regular season and just grinding to get to this point.

We stay calm.

We stay collected.Obviously, in the third period, we have to take a better hold of that, but I like the way we reset in overtime and especially the second overtime..

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