The Carolina Hurricanes have won the NHL Stanley Cup for the second time in their history.
In Las Vegas, the team won the decisive fourth victory in the best-of-seven series against the Golden Knights with a 3-0 win in the sixth duel. The Hurricanes won their first championship in 2006. Coach Rod Brind’Amour was captain of the team at the time.
For the Golden Knights, who are only playing their ninth NHL season, all dreams were shattered for the second time in the third Stanley Cup final. The only title remains the one from the 2022/23 season.
Carolina scores early
Taylor Hall made it 1-0 for the guests in the fourth minute. Jackson Blake scored in the second period to make it 2-0. After that, the Hurricanes had the game under control – also because Vegas couldn’t take advantage of their own opportunities. With 68 seconds left, Nikolaj Ehlers made it 3-0 as the Golden Knights tried to force the score without a goalkeeper.
The hosts had already missed the best opportunities. Symbolically, Jack Eichel hit the crossbar nine and a half minutes before the end when he was unsuccessful from close range without an opponent. The strong Hurricanes goalkeeper Brandon Bussi fended off all other chances.
The Hurricanes had finished the main round as the best team in the Eastern Conference and, after unsuccessful attempts in previous years, had worked their way into the Stanley Cup final. There the team lived up to their role as favorites.