Ottawa may not have a horse in this race, but hockey fans across the capital were glued to their screens Monday night as the Vegas Golden Knights edged out a tense Game 1 victory in the Stanley Cup Final, courtesy of a late Tomas Hertl goal.
Hertl Delivers When It Counts
The Czech centreman — one of the most quietly clutch forwards in the league — came through in the dying minutes to give Vegas the lead and, ultimately, the win over the Carolina Hurricanes. It was the kind of gut-punch goal that reminds you why playoff hockey is the best sport on the planet, regardless of who you're cheering for.
For Ottawa sports bars and living rooms packed with Senators fans still nursing the sting of another early spring, the game offered a welcome dose of high-stakes hockey to fill the void.
A City That Lives and Breathes Hockey
Ottawa is a hockey town through and through. Even when the Senators aren't in the mix — and this spring, they weren't — locals still pack places like The Prescott, Hooley's, and Dunn's Famous to watch the sport they love deep into June. The Stanley Cup Final is must-watch TV here, full stop.
There's also the inevitable Ottawa angle when it comes to evaluating Cup contenders: plenty of Senators fans have an opinion on what Vegas built and whether Ottawa's rebuild is on a comparable trajectory. The Golden Knights remain one of the league's great modern success stories, reaching the Final just years after their 2017 expansion entry.
What to Watch in Game 2
Game 2 is Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, shifting to Raleigh, N.C. where the Hurricanes will look to even the series on home ice. Carolina has one of the NHL's best home atmospheres — PNC Arena gets loud — so a bounce-back is far from guaranteed for Vegas.
For Ottawa fans watching with one eye on the series and the other on the Senators' offseason moves, there's plenty of subtext. Both Vegas and Carolina have shown what a well-built, culture-first organization can accomplish. It's the kind of blueprint the Sens faithful are hoping Ottawa brass is taking notes on.
Where to Watch in Ottawa
If you want to catch Game 2 with a crowd, plenty of Ottawa spots will be showing it:
- The Prescott (379 Preston St.) — reliable hockey bar atmosphere
- Hooley's Irish Pub (Byward Market) — always packed for big games
- Mechanics Hall (Bank St.) — great screens, good vibes
- The Elmdale Tavern (Parkdale) — low-key neighbourhood pub energy
Game 2 tips off Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Whether you're a die-hard who scouts every playoff series or just in it for the drama, this Final has the makings of a classic.
Source: Ottawa Citizen / ottawacitizen.com
