Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Hertl's Late Goal Lifts Golden Knights Past Hurricanes 5-4 in Cup Final Opener
Tomas Hertl scored the go-ahead goal with 3:24 remaining in the third period, lifting the Vegas Golden Knights to a 5-4 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on Tuesday. Hertl cut to the net and took a behind-the-back pass from Colton Sissons, then beat Frederik Andersen between the hash marks. Shea Theodore had a goal and two assists, and Brayden McNabb added three assists for Vegas. Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice in the first period for Carolina, and Jordan Staal and Shayne Gostisbehere also scored. Carter Hart made 23 saves. Game 2 is Thursday in Raleigh.
Sources: NHL.com
Hart's Glove Save on Jarvis Proves Decisive in Golden Knights' Game 1 Win
Carter Hart made 23 saves and delivered when it mattered most in the Vegas Golden Knights' 5-4 Stanley Cup Final Game 1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday at Lenovo Center. Hart made a critical glove save on Seth Jarvis' one-timer from the right circle at 16:15 of the third period, with the game tied 4-4. Tomas Hertl scored the winning goal 21 seconds later. Hart also stopped Logan Stankoven on a breakaway in the first period with Vegas trailing 2-1. The Golden Knights goaltender is now 13-4 with a 2.33 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in 17 postseason starts.
Sources: NHL.com
Manny Malhotra Named 23rd Head Coach of Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks hired Manny Malhotra as their 23rd head coach on Monday. The 46-year-old replaces Adam Foote, who was fired May 19 after one season, as part of a regime change that also saw the Sedin twins become co-presidents of hockey operations and Ryan Johnson named GM. Johnson previously hired Malhotra to coach AHL Abbotsford, where he won the Calder Cup in his first season. Malhotra inherits a Canucks team that finished last in the NHL with a 25-49-8 record. Vancouver holds the No. 3 pick at the June 26–27 Draft in Buffalo, where Malhotra's son Caleb is a top prospect.
Sources: NHL.com
Lauzon Returns from Upper-Body Injury to Give Golden Knights First Fully Healthy Lineup
Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon returned to the Vegas Golden Knights lineup for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, giving the team a fully healthy roster for the first time since opening night of the 2025-26 season. Lauzon had missed the past month with an upper-body injury, last playing in the clinching Game 6 of the first round against the Utah Mammoth on May 1. He was paired with defenseman Dylan Coghlan, while Kaedan Korczak was a healthy scratch. Coghlan had three points and a plus-8 rating in eight postseason games before Game 1.
Sources: NHL.com
Hurricanes' Power Play Remains Stuck at 12.1% After 0-for-2 Night in Game 1
The Carolina Hurricanes went 0-for-2 on the power play in their 5-4 Stanley Cup Final Game 1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, extending a persistent postseason struggle. Through 14 playoff games, Carolina's man advantage has converted at 12.1 percent — 7-for-58. The Hurricanes went 2-for-19 against Montreal in the Conference Final and did not manage a shot on goal in four minutes of power-play time in Game 1 against Vegas. “You've got to execute,” coach Rod Brind'Amour said. “The passing, we had the looks. There it was, and then it's in the skates.” Carolina ranked fourth in the NHL in regular-season power-play percentage at 24.9.
Sources: NHL.com
Top International Prospect Stenberg Begins 14 Team Interviews at NHL Combine in Buffalo
Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg, ranked No. 1 among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting, began his 14 team interviews at the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo on Tuesday. The 18-year-old Frolunda winger scored eight points (four goals, four assists) in eight games for Sweden at the 2026 IIHF World Championship before arriving in Buffalo. Among the teams he will meet with are the Toronto Maple Leafs, who hold the No. 1 pick, and the San Jose Sharks at No. 2. Stenberg said his World Championship performance increased his confidence that he can play in the NHL next season. The draft is June 26–27 in Buffalo.
Sources: NHL.com
Stanley Cup Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
1st Round: Carolina def. Ottawa Senators
2nd Round: Carolina def. Philadelphia Flyers 4–0
Conf. Final: Carolina def. Montreal 4–1
Western Conference
1st Round: Vegas def. Utah Mammoth 4–2
2nd Round: Vegas def. Anaheim Ducks 4–2
Conf. Final: Vegas def. Colorado Avalanche 4–0
Stanley Cup Final
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes — Golden Knights lead 1–0 (Game 2: Thu, June 4)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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