Golden Knights Defenseman Taken to Hospital Amid Stanley Cup Final Game 2

James Guillory-Imagn Images

Golden Knights Defenseman Taken to Hospital Amid Stanley Cup Final Game 2

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 5, 2026 4:59 AM ET

The Vegas Golden Knights entered Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday looking to build on momentum after a 5-4 comeback win over the Carolina Hurricanes in the opener.

Brayden McNabb, one of Vegas' most physical players on the blue line, has been central to the Golden Knights' run to the finals as part of the second defensive pairing.

Entering Game 2, McNabb had logged 334:07 time on ice, while he also led the team's defensemen in hits with 33 and ranked third overall across the roster in blocked shots, also with 33.

Midway through the first period of Thursday's game, however, the game took an unforeseeable and concerning turn involving McNabb.

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) is assisted off the ice after taking a puck to the face.Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

McNabb was struck in the face by a slap shot from Carolina Hurricanes forward Nikolaj Ehlers while attempting to block the puck in front of the net.

Players immediately signaled for help as McNabb skated off under his own power, holding his face before heading directly to the locker room. He did not return for the remainder of the game.

According to ESPN's Emily Kaplan, that's because McNabb left the arena and was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation after the incident.

"I heard from people in the arena that he did leave the building"@emilymkaplan gave an update on Brayden McNabb's status after he took a puck to the face#SoundTheSiren #ForgedInGold #NHL #StanleyCup https://t.co/QmIXxdQONK pic.twitter.com/h4nSfDq6p9
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) June 5, 2026

The sequence overshadowed what became a tightly contested matchup. Vegas took a 2-0 lead into the third period, but Carolina rallied to take a 3-2 lead that the Hurricanes would surrender with just over a minute left in regulation.

Ultimately, Carolina defeated Vegas 4-3 in overtime thanks to a Seth Jarvis power-play goal, tying the Stanley Cup Final at one game apiece.

Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET as the series shifts to Las Vegas.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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