Brayden McNabb, wearing a cage for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, received a huge ovation when he was announced as a starter. Lucas Peltier / Imagn ImagesJune 6, 2026 Updated 8:39 pm EDTBrayden McNabb dramatically returned to the Vegas Golden Knights lineup for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final two days after taking an 87 mph slapshot to the face.McNabb wore a full face shield and received a thunderous ovation from the crowd at T-Mobile Arena when he was announced as part of the starting lineup alongside usual defense partner Shea Theodore on Saturday.
Huge pop for Brayden McNabb pic.twitter.com/dCG9km8af6
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) June 7, 2026He only managed to play the first 10 minutes of Game 2 in Raleigh, N.C., before taking a puck directly to the nose. McNabb was standing in front of his team’s net when a Nikolaj Ehlers one-timed shot knocked him to his knees. He didn’t return to the game, and ESPN later reported that he had been taken to a local hospital for observation.The Golden Knights didn’t provide any official update on McNabb’s status beyond confirming that he would travel home on the team charter on Friday.With the NHL’s championship series tied 1-1 against the Carolina Hurricanes, his return was a big boost for Vegas. Not only did McNabb register three assists in a series-opening 5-4 win on Tuesday, but he’s one of the team’s top penalty killers, and the Golden Knights surrendered two late power-play goals without him while losing 4-3 in overtime on Thursday.McNabb is an original member of the Golden Knights, having been selected in their 2017 expansion draft. He won the Stanley Cup with the team in 2023.
