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.

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.