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Game 1 winners, losers: Golden Knights' Tomas Hertl, Hurricanes' top line

The Vegas Golden Knights are not the Montreal Canadiens or the Philadelphia Flyers or Ottawa Senators.

The Carolina Hurricanes faced their toughest opponent so far in the NHL playoffs on Tuesday, June 2, and lost Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final 5-4 in a back-and-forth game.

They blew a 2-0 lead, fell behind 3-2 and twice tied the score before falling on Tomas Hertl's winning goal with 3:24 left in the third period.

The Hurricanes, whose forechecking frustrates opponents, found the same difficulties getting out of the zone because of the Golden Knights' forecheck.

"We didn't handle the pressure particularly well.," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said.

Here are the winners and losers of the Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, a turnover-filled game that both coaches will have to address:

WINNERS

Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl

He went through a 29-game goal drought that carried from the regular season into the playoffs. But his winning goal was his fourth goal in the last eight games as he worked a give-and-go with Colton Sissons.

"We gave him some time," Tortorella said. "It took a little time, but the time was getting short. ... Once he scored, his game kind of changed. He's come through at a very important time and has given up some consistent minutes."

Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers

The Hurricanes signed the free agent to a six-year deal averaging $8.5 million. He reinforced why in Game 1 with his speed and shot. His goal 25 seconds into the game was the third fastest in the history of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. He made a nice move on a breakaway goal to make it 2-0.

Golden Knights' Brayden McNabb

He's known more for his shot blocking and physical play than his offense. But he had three assists for his first time in a playoff game to help lead the Golden Knights' offense. He was a plus-3 and blocked two shots for good measure.

LOSERS

The Hurricanes' first line

Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis continue to struggle in the playoffs. Aho put the puck over the net in a chance in close and Svechnikov fanned on a one-timer.

"They had one good shift in the third there," Brind'Amour said. "Everybody has to play well if you're going to win at this time of year. Your best guys have to get on the scoresheet."

The Hurricanes' power play

It entered the game at a paltry 12.5% and went 0-for-2 on Tuesday with not many looks.

The goaltenders

Vegas' Carter Hart and Carolina's Frederik Andersen made a few good saves but weren't their usual selves. Hart had an .852 save percent age and Andersen was at .783. Coming into the games, they were at .924 and .932, respectively.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stanley Cup Game 1 winners and losers: Tomas Hertl lifts Vegas

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