The Vegas Golden Knights lost Game 5 and key forward William Karlsson on Thursday, June 11.
But coach John Tortorella was in form afterward, essentially guaranteeing the Stanley Cup Final would return to Raleigh, North Carolina, for Game 7 and ripping a reporter’s question about the goaltending.
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“We’re going to find a way,” he said. “I’m going to leave my clothes here, that’s for sure. They’ll be in the hotel.”
The Carolina Hurricanes won 4-2 as Jordan Staal scored for the fifth game in a row and first-line players Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho broke through with three goals. Brandon Bussi made 23 saves in his second consecutive start since replacing Frederik Andersen at the start of the third period of Game 3.
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) faceoff during the first period in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) faceoff during the first period in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) celebrates scoring during the first period against the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Overview of the stadium prior to the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
General view of towels for fans on the seats prior to the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) stands in the hallway prior to entering the ice for warm up against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Seth Jarvis (24) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
Tortorella took exception when a reporter asked if he considered replacing Carter Hart with Adin Hill for the start of the third period on Thursday. Hart has given up four goals in every game of the series.
“Oh for Christ – that could be the stupidest question I’ve heard,” he said.
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The Golden Knights had some positives with Pavel Dorofeyev scoring twice to end a drought. Jack Eichel had two assists.
But Hart will need to outplay Bussi in Game 6 and the Golden Knights will need to solve the Hurricanes’ power play without penalty killer Karlsson for Tortorella’s vow to come true.
Jordan Staal ties NHL record with Game 5 goal
Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal’s five-game streak in the Stanley Cup Final tied an NHL record and put him in elite company.
He joined Hall of Famers Yvan Cournoyer (1973), Jean Beliveau (1956), Maurice Richard (1951) and Fred “Cyclone” Taylor (1918) with the streak. Staal would pass them if he scores in Game 6 on Sunday in Las Vegas.
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Hurricanes coach glad for two-day break
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said he’s grateful that there are two days off before Game 6 in order to tamp down the excitement about winning the franchise’s first Stanley Cup title since 2006.
“I don’t think it will be too hard to focus this group,” he said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden Knights’ John Tortorella vows Game 7 return, defends goaltender
