The NHL Stanley Cup Finals begin with a highly anticipated Game 1 between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights at Lenovo Center. The Hurricanes are coming off an impressive 12-1 postseason record, making them the favorites with a 58% probability of winning. Their success is attributed to stellar defensive play and exceptional goaltending from Frederik Andersen, who has a remarkable 1.41 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights, with a 12-4-0 record, bring a potent offensive lineup led by Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel. The matchup promises to be a strategic battle, particularly with Carolina’s formidable penalty kill facing off against Vegas’s power play. The absence of defenseman Jeremy Lauzon for Vegas adds another layer of complexity to their defensive strategy. Overall, the combination of Carolina's strong home record and Andersen's elite performance positions them as the team to beat in this series opener.