RALEIGH, N.C. -- Colton Sissons beamed with a broad smile while praising the excitement of playing in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday night.

He and the Vegas Golden Knights exchanged opportunities, scores, stops and responses with the Carolina Hurricanes, launching the title series strongly. Vegas captured a high-scoring, thrilling 5-4 contest that might typically frustrate a traditional coach like John Tortorella.

“I think he enjoyed it,” Sissons said. “Obviously the result.”

It was such an impressive match that even Torts appreciated it.

Game 1 featured numerous highlights, including Nikolaj Ehlers netting a goal just 25 seconds into the action for the Hurricanes, energizing the enthusiastic crowd, along with outstanding saves by both goalies. What was absent was the tight defense that propelled these squads here, yet that contributed to a more thrilling opener.

“Both teams played good defense for certain minutes, other times not,” Tortorella said. “You just never know what’s going to happen.”

The outcome included plenty of goals from two strong defensive playoff teams. It marked the first Cup final game ever with a score in the opening 30 seconds of each of the first two periods.

Ehlers tallied his initial goal on a rush and another on a breakaway. The two-goal advantage endured only 80 seconds until Shea Theodore responded, and Ivan Barbashev along with William Karlsson gave Vegas the lead after trailing once more.

“It was great from our group to kind of battle back,” Theodore said.

Jordan Staal's first goal in this playoff phase since 2009, surpassing his brother Eric’s mark for the longest interval between Cup final goals, revived the fans. Shayne Gostisbehere's tying goal with under nine minutes remaining in regulation did the same.

As regulation wound down, the Golden Knights delivered another memorable play. Colton Sissons’ backhand pass enabled Tomas Hertl - who had faced challenges early on - to score the decisive goal with 3:34 left.

Prior to that, both players had been stopped on prime chances by Carolina's Frederik Andersen. Meanwhile, Carter Hart delivered several key saves.

Logan Stankoven had a solo breakaway in the first period that could have widened the margin.

“That could’ve been a dagger,” Sissons said.

Yet Hart stopped it and sustained Vegas. His standout save came late with the score even, using his glove to deny Seth Jarvis.

“He gives us so much confidence,” Sissons said. “When we needed him most, he was there.”

The Cup final's beginning helped the NHL recover from a dull third round, where Vegas swept Colorado in the West and Carolina rebounded from a slow start versus Montreal to win four straight and advance past the East final hurdle.

Supporters were excited from warmups, and the teams delivered an entertaining performance justifying the ticket costs.

“I thought it was a great game from both sides,” Theodore said. “That’s a loud building to play in front of.”

Following the thrilling matchup between two hockey elites, fans hope for six more similar contests.