
In a series in which Game 1 and Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals were all-time classics, who could imagine that Game 3 could be even better?
But that's the script the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes drew up.
The Hurricanes came back down four goals in the third period before an own-goal in double overtime gave the Golden Knights the 5-4 at T-Mobile Arena,
- Subscribe to FloHockey to Stream the Entire NHL Minor League Season
- Read The Latest 2026 NHL Draft Coverage
- NHL Mock Draft 2026: Caleb Malhotra, Chase Reid Go Early. But Who's No. 1?
The Knights led 4-0 at the start of the third period, led by a 4-point second period from Mitch Marner. Carolina replaced Frederik Andersen with Brandon Bussi at the start of the third period, a move that started the comeback.
Ultimately, four goals and forcing double overtime wasn't enough for the Hurricanes who came up just short in one of the best games in the history of the Stanley Cup Finals.
The first two games were all-action and Game 3 did not disappoint NHL fans. Read the full FloHockey recap of the game to catch up on key moments, highlights and updates from the game,
Vegas Wins in Double Overtime! Stops One of the Greatest Comebacks in NHL History - 12:24 a.m. ET
CAR 4, VGK 5
Vegas wins the game off of Carolina's second own-goal of the night. The puck deflects off Brandon Bussi's foot to end the game and halt the Carolina comeback. Shea Theodore gets the credit for the goal to cap off one of the most memorable Stanley Cup Final games in history.
SHEA THEODORE WINS IT FOR VEGAS IN @ENERGIZER DOUBLE OVERTIME TO TAKE A 2-1 LEAD IN THE #STANLEYCUP FINAL 🚨 pic.twitter.com/zpOANju87a
— NHL (@NHL) June 7, 2026
End of OT, Both Teams Get Good Looks, Come up Short - 11:58 p.m. ET
CAR 4, VGK 4
Brandon Bussi has been the difference for the Hurricanes, stopping multiple clean looks from Vegas during the first OT period.
Shots:
- CAR: 31
- VGK 32
Vegas has Taken Control in OT, Still Tied With Five Minutes Left - 5:15 OT - 11:49 p.m. ET
CAR 4, VGK 4
After Carolina got off to a decent start in OT, Vegas has taken control, keeping the puck in the Hurricanes' zone and pressuring Brandon Bussi with multiple shots on goal.
However, Bussi has remained solid, with 14 saves since entering the game in the third period. We'll see if one of these teams can take the 2-1 advantage with the first OT period coming to a close.
Hurricanes and Golden Knights Go Back-And-Forth in OT - 13:43 OT - 11:34 p.m. ET
CAR 4, VGK 4
Both the Hurricanes and Golden Knights have had good looks at the net in overtime, but neither team has been able to end the game.
Brandon Bussi continues his impenetrable defense since entering the game, while Carter Hart has seemingly recovered from a shaky third period.
End of 3rd, Heading to OT in All-Time Great Stanley Cup Finals Game - 11:10 p.m. ET
CAR 4, VGK 4
Carolina goes from essentially waving the white flag to scoring four consecutive goals to force OT in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Shots:
- CAR: 23
- VGK: 25
Hurricanes Tie the Game With Under Two Minutes Left! - 1:42 3rd - 11:06 p.m. ET
CAR 4, VGK 4
The Carolina Hurricanes are one goal away from completing the greatest comeback in the history of the Stanley Cup Finals. The power play goal off a Vegas delay of game from Andrei Svechnikov puts the road team back even after being down four goals in the third period.
For the third consecutive game, the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals are proving to be one of greatest playoff series in the history of the NHL.
THIS. GAME. IS. TIED. 😳
— NHL (@NHL) June 7, 2026
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A GAME LIKE THIS?! #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: ABC
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/pT4cgbSqET
Carolina Kills the Vegas PP - 5:25 3rd - 10:56 p.m. ET
CAR 3, VGK 4
Vegas had the chance to put the final nail in the coffin with a little over five minutes to play, but Carolina kills the power play and stays alive.
The change from Frederick Andersen to Brandon Bussi from coach Rod Brind'Amour has proven to be the difference for the Hurricanes to come back in the game. He's made multiple crucial saves throughout the third period to keep his team alive.
Hurricanes Score Three Goals in 39 Seconds! - 12:18 3rd - 10:38 p.m.
CAR 3, VGK 4
Carolina is back from the dead in one of the craziest turn of events in the history of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Hurricanes have scored three goals in 39 seconds to completely alter the game. It's the fastest three goals by one team in Stanley Cup Finals history.
This time it's Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal scoring his third goal of the series to leave Golden Knights fans sweating in their seats in T-Mobile Arena. The last 12 minutes could make for one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the NHL.
THREE GOALS IN 39 SECONDS?! ARE YOU KIDDING?! 😱
— NHL (@NHL) June 7, 2026
The @Canes have cut the lead to one! #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: ABC
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/0gwtcWcXb4
Carolina Scores Again, Brings Hurricanes Within 2 - 12:28 3rd - 10:37 p.m. ET
CAR 2, VGK 4
We officially have a game in Vegas! The Hurricanes score their second goal in 30 seconds, putting Vegas on their heels in Game 3 off the shot from Taylor Hall and an unreal assist from Sebastian Aho. Things are starting to get interesting here in Vegas.
WHAT A FEED FROM SEBASTIAN AHO 😳 #StanleyCup
— NHL (@NHL) June 7, 2026
🇺🇸: ABC
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/T5ycdZocSB
The Hurricanes Finally Get on the Board in Game 3 - 12:57 3rd - 10:35 p.m. ET
CAR 1, VGK 4
Jordan Martinook gets his second goal of the playoffs, wrapping the puck around Carter Hart to prevent the Hurricanes from being shut out in Game 3.
The Hurricanes struggled to mount any offense in the second period, but the offense is putting shots on goal in Game 3 to build momentum.
Carolina Hurricanes Replace Frederick Andersen With Brandon Bussi - 20:00 3rd - 10:24 p.m. ET
CAR 0, VGK 4
Frederick Andersen's day is done, as the Carolina Hurricanes pull him at the start of the third period in favor of backup goalie Brandon Bussi.
Bussi makes his NHL playoff debut and Andersen gets a rest as the Hurricanes appear to concede Game 3 after Vegas' dominant second period.
Golden Knights and Mitch Marner Dominate in the 2nd Period - End of 2nd
CAR 0, VGK 4
Mitch Marner makes history in the second period of Game 3. He achieves the fastest hat trick in Stanley Cup Finals history, scoring all three goals in just 6:10.
Shots:
- CAR: 12
- VGK: 16
🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄🪄 pic.twitter.com/0vZ3IGFwE6
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 7, 2026
Mitch Marner has his Second Hat Trick in the Stanley Cup Finals - 3:08 2nd - 9:58 p.m. ET
CAR 0, VGK 4
Mitch Marner is putting up an all-time great Stanley Cup Finals performance. He gets a breakaway just minutes after his last goal and scores his third goal in the second period.
It's Marner's second hat trick of the 2026 NHL Playoffs. He now has 4 points in the second period to boost Vegas into an electric period and a blowout performance. It's the most points scored in a period of the Stanley Cup Finals since 1919.
MITCH MARNER HAT TRICK!!! 🎩🎩🎩 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/zMXh0WrPGS
— NHL (@NHL) June 7, 2026
Vegas Scores Again, Marner Gets Second Chance - 5:28 2nd - 9:51 p.m. ET
CAR 0, VGK 3
Mitch Marner gets a breakaway and is stopped by Frederick Andersen, but the puck is intercepted by Brayden McNabb and sent back to Marner who scores on the second attempt.
Andersen had only allowed more than two goals in one game in the NHL Playoffs, but the Golden Knights have now scored three or more goals in every game of the Stanley Cup Finals. The second period has been all Vegas, who is now in complete control of the game.
MITCH MARNER'S GOT HIS SECOND GOAL OF THE NIGHT!
— NHL (@NHL) June 7, 2026
📺: ABC, @Sportsnet, & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/fiu2ewZ6oQ
Hurricanes Deflect Puck Into Their Own Goal Just Seconds Later - 9:18 2nd - 9:45 p.m. ET
CAR 0, VGK 2
Mitch Marner backhands the puck towards the goal, which deflects off Hurricanes Defenseman Sean Walker and gets directly passed Frederick Andersen for two goals in less than 20 seconds.
The hometown crowd is up on their feet as Vegas has dominated in the second period. Vegas has now put the puck in the net four times, with two being called off, compared to none for the Hurricanes.
JUST 16 SECONDS LATER, IT'S 2-0 VEGAS!
— NHL (@NHL) June 7, 2026
📺: ABC, @Sportsnet, & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/xws90Vxm8j
Carolina Called for too Many Men on the Ice, Vegas Scores on PP - 9:34 2nd - 9:43 p.m. ET
CAR 0, VGK 1
The Carolina Hurricanes commit the first penalty of the game, being called for too many men on the ice and Vegas capitalizes by scoring the first goal of the game.
Tomas Hertl is able to strike first against a Hurricanes team that is starting to reel. They haven't attempted a shot in over eight minutes.
THE @GOLDENKNIGHTS STRIKE FIRST IN GAME 3!
— NHL (@NHL) June 7, 2026
📺: ABC, @Sportsnet, & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/kO7AxGBi4O
Golden Knights Have a Second Goal Called Back -16:00 2nd - 9:29 p.m. ET
CAR 0, VGK 0
Vegas has two goals wiped off the board in the span of seven minutes. Ivan Barbashev makes contact with Frederick Andersen inside the blue paint and takes off the goal from Jack Eichel.
The Golden Knights despite both goals being taken off the board are getting better offensive looks early in the period, already putting more shots on goal through five minutes in the second period than the entirety of the first.
Take another off the board!
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) June 7, 2026
This time, the #Canes win a goaltender interference challenge.
We play on 0-0. pic.twitter.com/5gyLQV4oue
Vegas Nearly Breaks the Scoring Drought, Called Offsides - 19:24 2nd - 9:22 p.m. ET
CAR 0, VGK 0
Carolina gets caught making a change, and Mark Stone gets a breakaway off the assist from Brett Howden. Vegas only has three shots on goal, but is able to score on the third.
However, the play is reviewed for an offsides on Vegas and the goal is called back after a quick look. We're still all square at the T-Mobile arena in Vegas.
bad news..... no goal https://t.co/GsBGy7a4Tw
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 7, 2026
Carter Hart Makes a Massive Save to Keep the Game Even - End of 1st
CAR 0, VGK 0
Vegas goalie Carter Hart makes a massive save off the shot attempt from K'Andre Miller to keep the game tied at zero goals apiece. The Golden Knights offense massively struggled, with no shot attempts in the last half of the period.
Shots:
- CAR: 7
- VGK: 2
Keep at it pic.twitter.com/lZP0dqEHKq
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) June 7, 2026
Game 3 Off to a Slower Start - 5:14 1st - 8:50 p.m. ET
CAR 0, VGK 0
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals is off to a much slower start than Game 1 and Game 2. Neither team has been able to score with limited opportunities in the zone. Carolina has 5 shots on goal compared to just 2 shots on goal for Vegas.
Carter Hart has been the player of the game in the first period for Vegas. He has 5 saves, and is helping keep the Knights competitive in a game where their offense has struggled to generate good looks in the zone.
Carolina's Top Line Gets Good Looks, Vegas Holds -13:41 1st - 8:34 p.m. ET
CAR 0, VGK 0
Both offenses have been active early, but neither team has been able to get the puck past the respective goalies. The Hurricanes have had the best look at scoring, but shots from Sebastian Aho and Jalen Chatfield were saved by Carter Hart.
Carolina has the slight lead on shots on goal early, but the defenses are hanging in tough.
1st Period is Live - 20:00 1st - 8:24 p.m. ET
CAR 0, VGK 0
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals is live. Both teams are in desperate need of a win in a series that has been competitive and hard fought to this point.
Both Offenses Have Been Dominant to Start the Stanley Cup Finals
Both teams' starting goalies, Carter Hart for the Golden Knights and Frederick Andersen for the Carolina Hurricanes, have performed well in the NHL Playoffs. Early in the series, however, both men have struggled.
The teams have scored a combined 16 goals in two games. The difference in the series could prove to be which goalie makes a much-needed difficult save.
Hart had a strong start to Game 2, before falling apart in the third period and OT. Andersen has struggled in both games of the series.
Let’s see if the men defending the net can put up stronger performances in Game 3. Follow along with FloHockey to find out, and refresh the page for immediate updates.
Betting Odds for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals
Game 3:
- Carolina Hurricanes: -110
- Vegas Golden Knights: -110
Stanley Cup Finals Series Winner:
- Carolina Hurricanes: -132
- Vegas Golden Knights: +110
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Carolina Hurricanes Projected Lines for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals
Forwards
- Andrei Svechnikov - Sebastian Aho - Seth Jarvis
- Taylor Hall - Logan Stankoven - Jackson Blake
- Nikolaj Ehlers - Jordan Staal - Jordan Martinook
- William Carrier - Mark Jankowski - Eric Robinson
Defense
- Jaccob Slavin - Jalen Chatfield
- K’Andre Miller - Sean Walker
- Shayne Gostisbehere - Alexander Nikishin
Goalies
- Frederik Andersen
- Brandon Bussi
Taking this show on the road
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) June 6, 2026
Projected Lines » https://t.co/tgXMFhmwuT pic.twitter.com/jiMMm58X6L
Golden Knights Projected Lines for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals
Forwards
- Ivan Barbashev - Jack Eichel - Pavel Dorofeyev
- Brett Howden - William Karlsson - Mitch Marner
- Tomas Hertl - Colton Sissons - Mark Stone
- Cole Smith - Nic Dowd - Keegan Kolesar
Defense
- Brayden McNabb - Shea Theodore
- Noah Hanifin - Rasmus Andersson
- Dylan Coghlan - Kaedan Korczak
Goalies
- Carter Hart
- Adin Hill
2026 Stanley Cup Finals Schedule
- Game 1: VGK 5, CAR 4
- Game 2: VGK 3, CAR 4 (OT)
- Game 3: Carolina at Vegas, 8 p.m. ET, Saturday, June 6
- Game 4: Carolina at Vegas, 8 p.m. ET, Tuesday, June 9
- Game 5: Vegas at Carolina, 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, June 11
- *Game 6: Carolina at Vegas, 8 p.m. ET, Sunday, June 14
- *Game 7: Vegas at Carolina, 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, June 17
* - If necessary
When is Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals?
The Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes are facing off at 8 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals is broadcast live on ABC for viewers in the US. The game is broadcast live on Sportsnet, CBS and TVA Sports for viewers in Canada.
Follow along with FloHockey for updates on Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
The series now shifts to Vegas! ⚔️
— NHL (@NHL) June 6, 2026
Catch Game 3 of the #StanleyCup Final between the @Canes and @GoldenKnights TONIGHT at 8p ET on ABC, @Sportsnet, and @TVASports! pic.twitter.com/eNpJDBQJJt
Watch FloHockey 24/7
The AHL is streaming globally on FloHockey. Watch every single game from the regular season through the Calder Cup Playoffs, as well as key events like the AHL All-Star Classic and the AHL Outdoor Classic. Subscribe to FloHockey today so you never miss a moment. All games will be available on FloHockey.tv or via the FloSports mobile and connected TV apps.
NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey
The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL, minor-league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.
Watch the AHL, ECHL, QMJHL, OHL, And More On FloHockey
FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.
Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social
- Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
- Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
- Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
- Watch us on YouTube
- Like us on Facebook