Oilers lose big lead, goalie in Game 1

RALEIGH, N.C. -- After a stirring comeback, the Carolina Hurricanes won Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals with a gift of a goal.

Rod Brind'Amour scored off a flukey mistake with 31.1 seconds remaining after Edmonton's backup goalie botched an exchange behind the net, and the Hurricanes, after falling behind 3-0, rallied to beat the Oilers 5-4 Monday night.

Ty Conklin had to take over in goal for Edmonton with just under six minutes remaining after Dwayne Roloson, the star of the eighth-seeded Oilers improbable playoff run, was injured in a collision that knocked the net off its moorings.

Roloson sustained a series-ending knee injury, apparently meaning Conklin will have to go the rest of the way. He didn't pass his first test.

With overtime looming, Conklin went behind the net to play the puck on a seemingly routine play. But he appeared to cross up teammate Jason Smith with a backhanded pass, the puck deflecting off Smith's stick and sliding in front of an open net.

Brind'Amour scored his second goal of the night -- and he'll never get an easier one.

Game 2 is Wednesday night in Raleigh.

-- AP