Hurricanes Tie Stanley Cup

A Chaotic Third Period Swings the Game

Vegas looked in full control after Brett Howden scored twice — at 13:33 of the first and 7:23 of the second — to give the Golden Knights a 2-0 lead, according to AP News. Howden now has 13 playoff goals, the most of any player this postseason. Carolina's top line had been nearly invisible for 40 minutes.

Then the third period happened. Logan Stankoven scored a wraparound at 10:20. Mark Jankowski tied it at 12:46. Then Carolina captain Jordan Staal made it 3-2 on a power play at 15:45.

But Vegas captain Mark Stone refused to let it end. Stone scored with the extra attacker at 18:39 — just 81 seconds from a Carolina win — to force overtime. Staal had praised the crowd after his goal:

Tortorella's Failed Challenge Handed Carolina the Lead

The turning point came at 15:25 of the third. Officials waved off a potential Vegas go-ahead goal for goaltender interference. Golden Knights coach John Tortorella challenged the call and lost. That mistake gave Carolina a power play at the most critical moment of the game, according to Sportsnet.

Staal scored 20 seconds later on that power play to make it 3-2. Analysts called Tortorella's decision

Jarvis Breaks Through After a Slow Series Start

Seth Jarvis had been quiet heading into Game 2. Coach Rod Brind'Amour had called him out before the game, saying,

Jarvis scored the winner at 3:56 of overtime on a power play. After the goal, he said,

Series Shifts to Vegas With Momentum — and a Key Injury — in Play

Carolina's win was huge for their championship odds. Teams that fall behind 0-2 on home ice win the Cup only about 12% of the time, according to the Raleigh News & Observer. That number jumped to roughly 48% after the Game 2 win. Game 3 is set for Saturday, June 6, at 8:00 PM ET at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Vegas may be without a key defender. Brayden McNabb was taken to the hospital during Game 2 after taking an 87-mph slap shot to the face, according to the Raleigh News & Observer. His status for Game 3 is uncertain. The two games combined for 16 total goals — far more than anyone predicted from two defense-first teams, CBS Sports noted.