RALEIGH, N.C. — The Vegas Golden Knights are one loss from elimination after falling 4-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday at Lenovo Center. The Hurricanes now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, with Game 6 set for Sunday at T-Mobile Arena.
Compounding the defeat, center William Karlsson left the game midway through the second period with an apparent arm injury and did not return. According to ESPN, Karlsson left the arena for further testing. Coach John Tortorella said the team “probably” won’t have him available the rest of the way.
“It’s tough. You lose someone like (Karlsson) who’s so valuable to our team and playing so well. But it just means everyone else has to step up,” center Jack Eichel said. “He means so much. He’s a world-class player. He plays in all situations.”
Despite the loss, Tortorella made a bold promise: the Knights will be back in Raleigh for a potential Game 7 on Wednesday. “I’m going to leave my clothes here, that’s for sure,” Tortorella said. “They’ll be in the hotel.”
The Knights got goals from Pavel Dorofeyev in the first period and again in the third, but Carolina answered each time. Goaltender Carter Hart allowed four goals for the fifth straight game, a Stanley Cup Final record.
