Stanley Cup Final Game 3 Live Blog between Hurricanes, Golden Knights

Welcome to Game 3 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The best-of-7 series is tied after two games, and NHL.com Editor-in-Chief Bill Price is in Las Vegas to provide all the sights, sounds and highlights.

9:41 p.m. ET 

We are just past the hallway point of the second period and we get the first power play for Vegas because Carolina had two many guys on the ice with 9:44 left. 

Also, looks like Vegas defenseman Noah Hanifin went to the Vegas room. 

I have to say, I haven't heard much metal music here tonight, which is shocking, not only because that's been a standard in Vegas, but because Metal Blade 
Records Founder Brian Slagel is in the building. 

Ok, maybe playing death metal at a game may be a bit harsh for some fans, but how about some Metallica or Van Halen or something. I mean, Cattle Decapitation would certainly amp up the fans, right? 

Almost every song they play has a base line that makes the press box shake. It's like a Night at the Roxbury.

9:35 p.m. ET

They just did something funny on the board - it was called a "Lost Fan Alert" and then they showed two fans in Colorado Avalanche jerseys.

The told the fans if they want to, they could go the Vegas gift shop and buy merch for a team that's "actually still playing hockey." Ouch.  

If you're keeping score at home, Vegas has had two apparent goals disallowed - one for offside and one for goalie interference. 

On the bright side, Vegas is generating more offensive pressure and getting some good scoring chances, while Carolina seems a bit back on its heels this second period. 

They really play the whole knight thing to the hilt here, even the shoveling crew has a medieval name - The Knights Guard.

9:29 p.m. ET

We how have a second Vegas goal disallowed, this time because of goalie interference four minutes into the second. 

Jack Eichel appeared to score, but Ivan Barbashev bumped into Freddy Andersen before the puck went in. 

Needless to say, the fans are saying very, very mean things about the refs. 

Again, it was a clear goalie interference. Not sure what the refs are supposed to do.

9:23 p.m. ET

We have a significant development. Or so it seemed. 

Mark Stone appeared to score 36 seconds into the second period, but Brett Howden was offside, so no goal. 

The refs didn't see it, but Carolina did and challenged the goal and it was waved off. 

The fans are not happy, but what are the refs supposed to do, not enforce the rules?

9:18 p.m. ET

The second period has begun and William Carrier is back. 

I had an amazing experience between periods 1 and 2. My brother from LA is here for the game, so I went to visit him at his seat and to do so I had to walk through the Fortress. What a thrill. I'm not kidding. I love the Fortress and all that Vegas does here in-game to get the fans fired up. 

As for the game, let's see if any adjustments have been made. Vegas had just two shots on goal in the period and seemingly spent a lot of time in its own end. Carolina had seven shots, but seemed to carry the play. Will that continue? Who will score first? Why am I asking you?

The DJ plays "Thunderstuck" by AC/DC before the puck drops.

9:01 p.m. ET 

The first period is over and it's 0-0. 

Carolina carried the play for a good chunk of the first 20 minutes and has to be happy with how it played on the road. 

We had some more argy-bargy near the end of the first period, with 31.8 left after Nic Dowd was taken down by the boards. No penalty. 

Carolina outshot Vegas 7-2 in the first period, Seth Jarvis and K'Andre Miller having the best chances, but Carter Hart has been up to the challenge.  

Something to watch going forward. Carolina forward William Carrier looked to be favoring his arm after a hit on Jeremy Lauzon.

8:56 p.m. ET 

Seth Jarvis had the best chance to score so far tonight, coming in on Carter Hart, who turned him away. 

Jarvis looks like he has some pep in his step tonight after scoring the OT goal in Game 2. 

Still, we have had not had a goal yet with 2:10 left in the first. 

One thing that will not happen tonight is the NHL.com crew or any media member going hungry. 

There is a M&M buffet up here in the press box, and earlier there were personal pizza and gyros. 

Between a break in the action, they just showed a clip of Arnold doing the famous scream from "Predator." 

For a second I thought they were going to say he was here. 

No doubt, he would have his tarp off.

8:50 p.m. ET

This first period is playing out like we expected the series to play out - tight checking, not a lot of scoring chances, lots of forechecking and lots of hitting. 

With 5:14 left in the first, Carolina has four shots on goal while Vegas has two. 

Carolina is getting a little better of play, but it hasn't resulted in any real serious scoring chance. 

The fans are starting to get a little restless here with the Knights having issues generating offense. 

Still 0-0.

8:40 p.m. ET

We have our first sense of argy-bargy tonight, not much, but a little in-your-face action. 

If you think about it, there has not been much of that in the first two games. A few minor skirmishes, but nothing too serious. 

No one wants to take a dumb penalty that can cost their team the game. 

As I type that, Seth Jarvis and Mark Stone go at each other a bit in the Carolina end. 

Carolina is putting on the pressure, and seems to be controlling play, spending a lot of time in the Vegas zone. So far, Carter Hart has been up to the task, stopping Jordan Staal a few minutes ago on a deflection try right in front. 

As expected the music in here is heavy - they just played "Show Me What You've Got" by Powerman 5000.

Earlier, the Vegas dance team just did a number to a Anita Ward's "Knock on Wood." That's a classic 70s second. 

Speaking of classic 70s, Christopher Cross is playing in Vegas tonight. That's like Yacht Rock times 10.

8:35 p.m. ET

After an emotional pregame show with storms and knights and drummers and all sorts of mayhem, the game has gotten off to a somewhat tempered start. 

Five minutes in, each team had one shot on goal, none of much substance. 

I'm sure each team used the travel day to watch film and go over ways to tighten things up defensively. 

For two teams who usually don't allow a lot of goals, it was somewhat of a shock to see a total of 16 scored in the first two games. 

As I type this, the Canes put some pressure on Vegas, with Carter Hart making a point-blank save on a shot from Andrei Svechnikov. 

The "Go Knights Go" chants have begun here with the fans trying to get their team going. 

We're at our first shovel break with 13:41 left in the first and to this point, no tarps have come off. Stay tuned.

8:25 p.m. ET 

We are underway here in Vegas. 

Fernando Mendoza, the Las Vegas Raiders' No. 1 pick in the NHL did the siren honors here with his offensive line behind him. 

I have to give Vegas credit, they do announce the Hurricanes starters, with former Vegas player William Carrier getting a big hand. 

And I think I heard a few "Freddy, Freddy" chants after Frederik Andersen was announced as the Carolina goalie. 

Naturally, Brayden McNabb got a huge ovation when he was introduced as part of the starting lineup. Just incredible that he's in.

8:15 p.m. ET

The amazing pregame show is over and we are ready to play hockey.

I'm not sure what I love most about the Vegas pregame show. 

The golden knight skating onto the ice and vanquishing opponents with his mighty sword is always a scene to behold. 

Tonight, a person representing a storm came on the ice, flew into the air and sent a shockwave that sent the drummers on the ice into the air (You read that right). 

Then of course, the golden knight took care of that. 

Then you have the Golden Knights coming onto the ice to the John Wick theme through the knight's helmet that is lowered from the ceiling. Just incredible. 

Then, there are the anthems and the in-arena hype man getting everyone going. 

Funny moment: when the PA announcer first said the Carolina Hurricanes, he did it in a slow, think southern drawl. The gloves are off early. 

As if these fans need anything to get them ready for this huge game, the Vegas game presentation folks give them even more. 

Puck about to drop. 

Here we go.

8:10 p.m. ET

Not only is Brayden McNabb playing, he's in the starting lineup. 

Here is a look at all the lineups.

7:58 p.m. ET

Yes, Brayden McNabb was out there in warmups, wearing a full cage to cover his face. 

Less than 48 hours ago, he was hit square in the face with a 87-mph slap shot and now he's back. 

These guys are so tough, so dedicated to their teams and their craft, it's incredible. 

I stubbed my big toe on a chair in my hotel room the other day and I nearly cried it hurt so much. I can't imagine taking a frozen puck going close to 90 miles per hour right in the nose or mouth. 

Geez. 

Naturally, the fans gave a huge cheer when McNabb came on the ice for warmups. What a huge emotional lift that is for Vegas. 

It's starting to fill up in here. While the Hurricanes have a huge tailgate scene outside Lenovo Center in the parking lots, there is not much space to tailgate here with the arena on the strip between a few casino/hotels. Still, that didn't stop the party in Toshiba Plaza. 

I was out there about an hour ago and everyone was fired up. It was hot, but people didn't seem to care, wearing their Vegas jerseys. I even saw a few Carolina jerseys out there and in the casinos today. 

We are about 20 minutes from puck drop and about 10 minutes from one of the most amazing pregame shows you will see in all of sports. 

I can't wait.

7:45 p.m. ET

We have big news to report - Brayden McNabb is on the ice for warmups for the Vegas Golden Knights. 

This is the same Brayden McNabb who took an 87-mph slap shot to the face in the first period of Game 2 and didn't return. 

Coach John Tortorella did not provide any updates on Friday and this morning, and now it seems like he was playing a little cat-and-mouse game. 

Anyway, McNabb being in the lineup is a huge boost for Vegas and not only from a morale standpoint. He is one of their top defensemen and they need him in this crucial Game 3.

7:30 p.m. ET

Good evening, or in my case, afternoon from Las Vegas. With the 8 p.m. ET start, we drop the puck here at 5 p.m., so I will likely be confused all night with the time stamps.

We are a little over an hour from puck drop and this place is nuts. And this place is hot.

There was a big crowd outside the arena at Toshiba Plaza getting ready for the game at the Illenium concert. I even spotted a man wearing a Stanley Cup on his head.

You know it’s a big game when the chicken in front of Crack Shack – a great chicken joint – is wearing a Golden Knights jersey.

While the chicken has his shirt on, I’m sure there were already some tarps off, but not sure it was to rally the teams – like in Carolina in Game 2 -- or because of the heat.

If you want an idea of how hot it is out here, have someone aim a hairdryer at you while you walk around the house.

As for the game, it looks like Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb is not going to play tonight. He took an 87-mph slap shot in the face on Thursday in Game 2. Assuming he’s out, it’s a big loss for Vegas. He is a great defenseman, and he’s tough to replace.

Coach John Tortorella has not provided any updates on McNabb’s status the past two days - including this morning – so we should get more clarity during warmups.

If you want to know more about Game 3, check out Dan Rosen’s 3 Things to Watch right here. There is also a video in there with three really good-looking guys breaking down the game.

I’ll be back when warmups begin.