Tomas Hertl and the Vegas Golden Knights stormed back in the third period to win Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, stealing the opener after trailing late. The comeback set the tone for a series Vegas now leads 1-0.

What happened

The Golden Knights erased a third-period deficit to take the opener of the Stanley Cup Final. Hertl factored into the late surge that flipped the game in Vegas's favor.

Speaking with ESPN's Emily Kaplan afterward, Hertl framed the rally as a reflection of the team's character. "It's been our story all season, we never give up," he said.

Why it matters

Stealing the opener hands Vegas home-ice control and an early edge in a best-of-seven Final. A 1-0 lead puts immediate pressure on the opposition to respond before the series shifts.

Hertl's late contribution underscores the depth scoring that has carried the Golden Knights through the postseason. That balance has been central to Vegas's run.

What to watch next

Game 2 looms as the next test of whether Vegas can build on the opener or surrender the momentum it just seized. Watch whether Hertl stays a focal point of the Golden Knights' attack as the Final continues.