Stanley Cup playoffs daily: Carolina's 4-3 OT thri...

ESPN staffJun 5, 2026, 07:00 AM ET

Many hoped that Game 2 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final would be as thrilling as Game 1 -- and those optimistic folks were rewarded with another superb contest in Game 2.

After about 50 minutes of dominance by the Vegas Golden Knights, the Carolina Hurricanes scored three goals in quick succession to bring the home fans back alive. The Knights would tie the game late, but the Canes scored first in overtime, sending the series to Nevada tied 1-1.

Read on for highlights and a recap, as well as updated playoff stats leaders.

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Carolina Hurricanes 4, Vegas Golden Knights 3 (OT)

Series tied 1-1

From the first moments of Game 2, the Golden Knights were once again limiting any type of offensive momentum that the Canes could generate. And two breakaway goals by Brett Howden (at 13:33 of the first and 7:23 in the second) gave them a two-goal cushion after two period.

However, the Canes came back to tie the game in quick succession in the third, thanks to goals from Logan Stankoven at 10:20, and Mark Jankowski just two minutes, 26 seconds later. With the game tied, it appeared that Ivan Barbashev scored on a high-effort play, but the goal was waved off and confirmed a "no goal" after review:

The unsuccessful coaches' challenge by Vegas gave the Canes a power play, on which they converted for the first time all series, with Jordan Staal tipping in a rocket off the stick of Shayne Gostisbehere. Undeterred, the Knights kept battling, and after an unsuccessful power play of their own, Mark Stone found the net with just 1:21 left on the clock. Despite a couple of chances both ways, the game headed to overtime.

It didn't take long for the Canes to find themselves on another power play, and Seth Jarvis played the hero, with his fourth goal of the postseason serving as the OT game-winner. Game 3 is Saturday in Las Vegas. Full recap | Grades

Playoff scoring leaders

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