McNabb was struck by a Nikolaj Ehlers shot through traffic at 10:52 and fell to the ice in front of goaltender Carter Hart. Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
June 4, 2026 Updated 9:17 pm EDT
RALEIGH, N.C. — Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb left Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night after taking a puck to the face during the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes.
McNabb was struck by a Nikolaj Ehlers one-timer through traffic at the 10:52 mark of the period and fell to the ice in front of Vegas goaltender Carter Hart. Players from both teams immediately stopped playing and motioned toward the bench for help.
McNabb was able to regain his feet and skate off under his power, dropping his gloves and covering his nose and mouth area with a bare hand. He was met by a member of the team’s training staff on the way to the dressing room.
McNabb did not return to the bench for the start of the second period.
Brayden McNabb immediately heads down the tunnel after taking a shot up high. pic.twitter.com/4obaaglqp9
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 5, 2026
The veteran defenseman had three assists in the series-opening 5-4 win on Tuesday night – the first time in a 1,005-game career he accomplished that feat.
Jun 5, 2026
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