Vegas Steals a Wild Game 1 in Raleigh

Of course, the Canes weren't going to roll over in their own building. Shayne Gostisbehere dragged them back with a third-period equalizer at 4-4, Raleigh detonated again, and we were officially in coin-flip territory with under 9 minutes left. Shea Theodore was dancing all night on the Vegas back end, and a Sissons dish in traffic was the kind of pass that makes hockey guys lose their composure on the timeline.

Barstool Gambling

@stoolgambling

CANES TIE IT WITH 8 MINUTES TO GO RALEIGH IS A MADHOUSE

Then came the dagger. With roughly 3:30 to go and the game knotted 4-4, Vegas worked a slick sequence behind the Carolina net and Tomas Hertl stuffed home the go-ahead — the kind of finish that ends series, never mind games. 5-4 Knights, final, and Vegas grabs Game 1 on the road in a building that was a madhouse 4 minutes earlier.

Barstool Sports

@barstoolsports

HERTL GIVES THE KNIGHTS THE LEAD AGAIN!!! THIS GAME!!

Now Carolina has to answer the same question every team that loses Game 1 on home ice has to answer: was that the better team, or just the team that got the last bounce in a track meet? Vegas has been here before, they know exactly how to sit on a series lead, and they've got 3 more to get. Buckle up.