The Carolina Hurricanes lost Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday night, falling 5-4 to Las Vegas after the Golden Knights scored the go-ahead goal late in the third period.
Why it matters: It was a frenetic game in Raleigh that had the makings of an all-timer for the Canes, especially after Nikolaj Ehlers scored a goal in the first 25 seconds of the game.
Zoom in: The Canes jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but the Golden Knights responded with the next three goals.
From there, the teams traded blows throughout the night.
The deciding moment came with less than four minutes remaining, when Las Vegas' Tomas Hertl scored shortly after a Seth Jarvis effort was saved at the other end of the ice.
State of play: The loss places significant pressure on Carolina to win Game 2 before the series shifts to Nevada.
It was only the Hurricanes' second loss of the postseason.
The big picture: Despite the defeat, it was a special day across the Triangle, with the Stanley Cup Final back in the Raleigh for the first time in 20 years.
Everywhere you looked the Canes were the main focus in a region known for its split loyalties.
Across downtown Raleigh, thousands of fans packed outdoor watch parties. The North Carolina Capitol was lit up in red. Bars across the region were packed to the gills. And Hurricanes' merch has been disappearing from shelves.
