Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds, Picks & Predictions - Game 1 - 06/02

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Written By Chris Kubala | Published at June 2, 2026
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May 27, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes center Logan Stankoven (22) practices before game four of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

After 82 regular season games and three rounds of the postseason, the NHL season has reached its zenith as the Stanley Cup Finals are on the horizon. The Vegas Golden Knights are on the road as they travel to take on the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals series Tuesday night and we have you covered with our Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes prediction.

Vegas swept Colorado in the Western Conference Finals, taking Game 4 2-1 at home May 26, in their previous contest. Meanwhile, Carolina pummeled Montreal 6-1 at home in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals in their previous game Friday night. These teams met twice in the regular season with the Golden Knights taking both meetings. That includes a 6-3 road win in the most recent matchup on October 28, 2025.

Which team draws first blood by prevailing here? Let’s break down this Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes matchup.

Golden Knights Try to Prevail on the Road

Vegas, after going to six games in the first two rounds against Utah and Anaheim, rolled to a sweep of the top-seeded Avalanche in the Western Conference Finals. The Golden Knights improved to 12-4 overall in the postseason and look to draw first blood for the fourth straight series.

Against Colorado in Game 4, Vegas took advantage of a banged-up Avalanche squad to earn the win and sweep the series. The Golden Knights owned a 9-8 advantage in shots in the opening period and led 1-0 after 20 minutes. Mark Stone opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the postseason at 4:42. Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore drew assists on the marker. The second period saw the Golden Knights with an 11-6 edge in shots. Neither team lit the lamp, keeping it 1-0 at the second intermission. The third period saw Vegas outshot 7-6 with both teams scoring once, giving the Golden Knights the win. Cole Smith made it a 2-0 game with his third of the playoffs at 14:15. In addition, Dylan Coghlan and Nic Dowd assisted on that goal. Colorado scored with just over two minutes to play, however, Vegas hung on for the win.

Carter Hart made 20 saves for the Golden Knights, who owned a 26-21 edge in shots, in the win. Therefore, Hart (12-4, 2.22 GAA, .922 save percentage) is slated between the pipes for Vegas again here.

Hurricanes Seek to Roll to Another Postseason Win

Carolina rebounded from their first loss of the postseason in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals by pummeling the Canadiens in four straight games. The Hurricanes blitzed Ottawa and Philadelphia in four games before dusting Montreal in five contests.

In Game 5, Carolina wore down a tired Montreal squad and rolled to a victory. That put the Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in two decades. In the opening period, Carolina owned a 15-4 advantage in shots and skated off with a 3-0 advantage on the scoreboard at the first intermission. Taylor Hall opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the playoffs at 9:17. In addition, Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake assisted on the goal. Stankoven gave Carolina a 2-0 advantage with his ninth goal of the playoffs at 15:12. Assists went to Hall and Alexander Nikishin. Eric Robinson staked the Hurricanes to a 3-0 advantage with his third of the playoffs at 16:52. William Carrier assisted on the marker.

In the second period, Carolina was outshot 11-9 but outscored Montreal 2-0 for a 5-0 advantage after 40 minutes. Blake made it 4-0 with his fifth of the playoffs at 7:19 off assists from Hall and Stankoven. Shayne Gostisbehere gave Carolina a 5-0 edge with his second goal of the playoffs, on the power play, at 18:02. In addition, Seth Jarvis and Nikolaj Ehlers drew assists on the marker. The third period saw Carolina outshot 9-6 with each team scoring once. That sent Carolina to victory. After Montreal tallied to get on the board, Jarvis closed the scoring with an empty net goal at 16:19. His third of the playoffs was assisted by Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov.

Frederik Andersen made 23 saves for the Hurricanes, who held a 30-24 advantage in shots, in the win. Andersen (12-1, 1.41 GAA, .933 save percentage, three shutouts) gets the call between the pipes again for Carolina.

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Stats to Know

Vegas is:

Carolina is:

Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes Prediction

Both teams rolled through the first three rounds without serious issues. Vegas briefly trailed Utah 2-1 before winning three straight games. They enter this one with six straight wins after their second round series with the Ducks was tied 2-2. Meanwhile, Carolina blitzed their way in the first two rounds before getting punched in the mouth in Game 1 by Montreal after an 11-day layoff. The Hurricanes came back and ground the Canadiens into the ice. Both teams are rested but Carolina rolls four lines with impunity and wear teams down. Therefore, playing at home, with the way Andersen is going between the pipes, take Carolina to earn the victory here.

Our Prediction: Hurricanes ML (BetMGM, -150)

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