Live updates: Carolina Hurricanes head into Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final with series tied

A Canes Watch Party is being held at Red Hat Amphitheater for the first time in the venue's history. Up to 6,000 fans can pack into the space to watch the game.

It comes as heat is bearing down on the Triangle.

A Canes Watch Party is being held at Red Hat Amphitheater for the first time in the venue's history. Up to 6,000 fans can pack into the space.

"Our staff's prepared to look out for each other and for attendees as well. This is something we're used to doing every night for every concert throughout the summer," said Red Hat Spokesperson Kate Jansen.

There are cooling stations sprinkled around the property

People can also bring in water bottles and refill them at water stations.

A late afternoon downpour hit downtown Raleigh on Thursday but it wasn't epected to dampen the enthusiasm for Canes fans.

Small handheld portable fans are allowed, and so are neck fans.

UNC Health's Dr. Christine Knettel said that fortunately, she hasn't seen a lot of heat-related illnesses come through UNC Rex Hospital's Emergency Room so far, but staffers are on alert because of all the watch parties.

"I do think that when people are in large crowds outdoors, they tend to (heat up) from the body heat alone, and then on top of that, lack of access to shade and maybe less frequent water breaks. I am a little worried about the numbers that could come in tonight," said Knettel.

Brandon Bussi was in the starter's crease at morning skate for the Hurricanes.

Freddie Andersen was not practicing. Still, coach Rod Brind'Amour won't say who will start Thursday night in Game 5.

Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour said "everyone's available."

"I'm not discussing the lineup," Brind'Amour said earlier Thursday. "Everybody's available. Everybody's available."

Still, Huricanes players expressed confidence no matter who gets the start.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall figures his team has played all season for the opportunity that now awaits in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Hurricanes host the Vegas Golden Knights in Thursday night's Game 5, with the best-of-seven series even at 2-2. The Hurricanes won Game 4 on the road to retake home-ice advantage, which would include next Wednesday's Game 7 if the series goes the distance.

Game 6 is Sunday in Las Vegas and will provide the first opportunity for a Cup-clinching win.

'We're excited to be at home," Hall said. "I think our game has been trending in the right direction all series long, doing a lot of really good things. We feel like we're an in-shape team. We can go as long as this needs to go. The fact we had three short series to start with, we're confident in where we're at."

Andrei Svechnikov called Game 5 the biggest game of his life.

Home ice hasn't mattered much in a series in which the only reliable element is its unpredictability. It's made for an epic finale with nightly blown multi-goal leads, wild swings and close finishes - perfect for fans packed into buzzing arenas and TV viewers but leading to what Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour has described as intensely stressful nights behind the bench.

As Vegas coach John Tortorella said Wednesday: "I don't think anybody expected this."

It's come in a series that was expected to be a defense-first battle but has instead seen 33 goals through four games (8.3 per game), making life tricky for each team's goaltenders.

Carolina started veteran Frederik Andersen after he had led them in a 12-1 run through the Eastern Conference playoffs, but pulled him in the third period of Game 3 with the Hurricanes down 4-0 before rallying in what ended as a double-overtime loss. Brandon Bussi played well in relief, then got the start in Game 4 with Brind'Amour saying Andersen - who didn't dress out - needed a break.

Brind'Amour wouldn't specify a Game 5 starter beyond saying everyone is available.

As for Vegas, Carter Hart has become the first goaltender in Stanley Cup Final history to give up at least four goals in each of the first four games yet two of them were wins. Tortorella said he had no concerns about Hart's play "at all."

- The Associated Press contributed.

Temperatures are soaring, and Caniacs are working toward a fever pitch as the Hurricanes have a chance to move within one game of a Stanley Cup title on Thursday night.

Excitement builds outside of the Lenovo Center as Game 5 draws near.

The blistering heat has not deterred Caniacs from filling watch parties across the Triangle as Canes look to defend home ice.