The Carolina Hurricanes set the tone immediately by scoring one of the fastest goals we’ve ever seen in the Stanley Cup Final.
Nikolaj Ehlers brought the home crowd at the Lenovo Center to its feet as he gave the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead just 25 seconds into the first period of Game 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights. It’s tied for the eighth-fastest goal ever scored in a Stanley Cup Final game, and the third-fastest to lead off a series, per the NHL record book.
NIKOLAJ EHLERS NETS THE FIRST GOAL OF THE #STANLEYCUP FINAL 🤯
He opens the scoring for the @Canes just 25 SECONDS into the game! 🌪️
🇺🇸: ABC
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASportspic.twitter.com/qvrDvV46ea— NHL (@NHL) June 3, 2026
Fast starts have been a theme for the Hurricanes these playoffs. They’ve now scored first in six consecutive games.
Ehlers wasn’t done, either. He extended the Hurricanes’ lead to 2-0 after scoring off a breakaway from the blue line.
NIK EHLERS AGAIN!!! ✌️
THE CANES TAKE A 2–0 LEAD IN GAME 1 🤯 pic.twitter.com/IDiLZq0Ja1
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 3, 2026
Carolina entered the Cup Final a blistering 12-1 in the postseason.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricanes score goal just 25 seconds into Game 1 of Stanley Cup Final