RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights looks even in a lot of ways, with very little margin for error.
Vegas has won 12 of 16 games in the playoffs, including a sweep of Colorado in the West final, while Carolina has taken 12 of 13. They've allowed the third-fewest and fewest goals against, respectively, while each scoring more than three goals a game.
The action gets underway Tuesday night in the Lenovo Center.
All games begin at 8 p.m. and can be seen on ABC11.
Check back here for live updates throughout the best-of-seven championship series.
- The Associated Press contributed.
It didn't take long for the Carolina Hurricanes to strike.
Nikolaj Ehlers slammed home the opening goal in just 25 seconds. Jaccob Slavin and Jalen Chatfield were credited with assists.
It's 1-0 Canes with nearly seven minutes gone in the first period.
Take Warning! Just one day after ABC11 Troubleshooter Diane Wilson warned Carolina Hurricanes fans about ticket scams ahead of the Stanley Cup Finals, viewers began reaching out, saying they had already lost money trying to buy tickets online.
Rebecca Cornwell says she is a huge Carolina Hockey fan. Cornwell, who regularly attends games with friends and members of her community group, said she began searching for tickets within her budget of $500 per seat on Hurricanes Resale Facebook groups. "I found, you know, a Facebook page that I thought was reputable."
That turned out to be her first mistake.
The puck drops at 8:00 p.m. on game nights and you can watch live on ABC11.
Each night before the puck drops ABC11 will have a show dedicated to the Canes as they make their 2026 Stanley Cup Final run.
The half hour specials will air on TV and stream at 7:30 p.m. (EST). Caniacs can watch where they stream ABC11.
The puck drops at 8:00 p.m. on game nights and you can watch live on ABC11.
As the Carolina Hurricanes prepare for their Stanley Cup Final run, state officials are warning fans to be cautious when buying team merchandise because counterfeit gear could be circulating online, near the arena and around the city.
Real or Fake?
Here are the three things buyers should pay close attention before purchasing team merch:
Legitimate merchandise should come from official team stores, licensed retailers or vendors inside the arena. Prices that seem far below what stores charge are a major red flag, she said. Authentic items should also include proper packaging, often with a hologram or other security feature on the tag.
Criminals rely on fans looking for a deal, Marshall said, but the consequences of buying counterfeit goods go far beyond a low quality T-shirt.
"The impact is frequently unknown, but it's horrific," she said. "There's no sales tax paid on this. Manufacturing may be happening in foreign countries using child labor or unsafe equipment. We know that terrorists support themselves with making and selling counterfeit goods."
Marshall urged fans who encounter suspicious sellers to notify law enforcement. Counterfeit enforcement teams will be stationed around the arena and monitoring online marketplaces and social media for illegal activity.
Officials say the best way to support the team and avoid funding criminal networks is to buy only from trusted, licensed retailers.
The puck drops tonight at 8:00 p.m. and you can watch live on ABC11.
