NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
A scary scene briefly interrupted Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday night when a player took a shot directly to the face, resulting in hospitalization.
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb skated off the ice and covered his face after being lined up with an 87 mph shot.
A shot from Carolina’s Nikolaj Ehlers hit McNabb square in the face just past midway through the first period. McNabb dropped his stick, went down to the ice and grabbed his nose as he immediately skated off and down the tunnel.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Vegas Golden Knights’ Brayden McNabb takes a puck to the face during the first period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 4, 2026. (Karl DeBlake/AP Photo)
The ESPN broadcast reported early in the second period that McNabb had left the arena and gone to a local hospital.
McNabb was coming off the first three-assist performance of his NHL career in Game 1. He is one of three original Golden Knights players who have been around in the franchise’s nine-year existence and is in the Finals for the third time.
“You lose a guy like Nabber who logs heavy minutes, such a good teammate, plays the game so hard, it’s tough,” captain Mark Stone said. “They fought as hard as they could.”
Vegas Golden Knights’ Brayden McNabb takes a puck to the face during the first period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 4, 2026. (Karl DeBlake/AP Photo)
SETH JARVIS SCORES OVERTIME GAME WINNER AS HURRICANES STORM BACK FROM 2-0 DEAL INTO THE STANLEY CUP FINAL
“Anytime you see that happen to a teammate, especially to a guy like Nabber who’s a big part of this team, a leader, it’s tough,” fellow D-man Noah Hanifin said. “It’s hard to see that happen to any guy on the ice. We’re just hoping for the best for him.”
Head coach John Tortorella said he did not have an update after the game.
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb reacts after a puck hits his face in the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 4, 2026. (James Guillory/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
The Golden Knights were ahead 2-0 in the third period, but quickly squandered their lead. After tying it with less than two minutes remaining, the Carolina Hurricanes’ Seth Jarvis found the back of the net to tie the series at one before both teams headed west.
