Golden Knights defeat Hurricanes 5-4 in double overtime to take series lead
Vegas won Game 3 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final in double overtime, snapping Carolina's comeback after erasing a four‑goal deficit in the third period.
The Vegas Golden Knights edged the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in double overtime to claim a 2-1 series lead in Game 3 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. After falling behind 4-0 early in the third period, the Hurricanes rallied with three quick goals in 39 seconds and a power‑play equalizer with 1:42 left in regulation, becoming the first team in half a century to erase a four‑goal deficit in a Final.
Vegas responded in the second overtime when a Shea Theodore shot deflected off the boards and the skate of backup goaltender Brandon Bussi before crossing the line. Bussi, making his first Stanley Cup playoff appearance, finished with 18 saves on 19 shots.
"It was kind of a weird game. I thought we were okay to start... then we took a bad penalty, and they made a nice play. Then a bad bounce on the second one. Then they just snowballed on us there for the rest of the period," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said.
"It started with me. Obviously, I took the penalty and they scored the first goal. They kept the momentum and scored a few more goals," forward Andrei Svechnikov added.
"I love that we feel like we can come back from anything, but you can’t put yourself in a hole like we did in the second period," Martinook said.
The Knights' goaltender Frederik Andersen made 12 saves on 16 shots before being replaced by Bussi, who stopped a penalty‑shot attempt by Mitch Marner in the third period. Both teams exchanged chances throughout the extended overtime, but Vegas ultimately secured the win.