IT’S HERE!! The Stanley Cup Final begins between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday evening on ABC. The first two games of the Cup Final are at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC.
How did they get here? Both teams dominated in their respective conference finals. For Vegas, they handled the NHL’s top overall seed in the Colorado Avalanche via a shocking sweep. The Hurricanes put their dominance on display as well. After dropping game one of the ECF to the Montreal Canadiens, Carolina rallied for four straight wins to advance to the Stanley Cup Final in five games. The Hurricanes scored first in every conference finals game they played, and Vegas showed their GRITTY play with several comebacks, which had been mythical against the Avalanche this season.
Who are the Threats on Each Side?
GettyRALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 29: Logan Stankoven #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal against the Montréal Canadiens during the first period in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center on May 29, 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Here we go. Vegas brings in star players like Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel (who have arguably been the two best skill players these playoffs) and a confident goaltender in Carter Hart, into this matchup.
However, the Hurricanes know a thing or two about confidence, and netminder Freddie Anderson looks as locked in as he ever has, and the Canes’ second line with Jackson Blake, Logan Stankoven, and Taylor Hall is on another level. It’s been 20 years since the Carolina Hurricanes have been in the Stanley Cup Final. The Hurricanes are certainly deeper with capable talent. Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Seth Jarvis man the first line pairing, and Carolina has some of the best defenders in the sport with Jaccob Slavin, Jalen Chatfield, and K’Andre Miller.
I would mention the respective records of each team in the regular season, but let’s be honest, that doesn’t matter anymore. Carolina pretty much outshot the Canadiens by a wide margin in the last four ECF games, and that’s been their clear M.O. this NHL playoffs. The ladder part to outshooting such an offensive threat like Montreal was Carolina’s ability to smother the Canadiens’ top dawgs, which will be a tougher test with Eichel and Mitch Marner being true veterans with a plethora of experience.
Prediction Time??
GettyMONTREAL, CANADA – MAY 25: Andrei Svechnikov #37 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal against the Montréal Canadiens during overtime in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 25, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Hurricanes have been about as complete a team as you can be for the entire season, which may give them a slight edge, and it certainly does in the betting market. I think I’ve seen the Hurricanes anywhere from -165 to -190 to win the Stanley Cup.
It’s such an exciting Cup Final matchup, and many spectators may side with the Hurricanes due to their story of it being so long since they’ve returned to potentially lift Lord Stanley.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights have been here a handful of times since being inaugurated into the NHL.
My prediction? Hurricanes in seven games.
Feels like it’s destiny, but I’ll be very clear, it would not shock me or anyone if Vegas brings this one home. This matchup is that even, and after they swept the Avalanche, the Golden Knights have put the NHL on notice.
Carolina Hurricanes Set for First Stanley Cup Final Game in 20 Years Against Golden Knights