The Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup for the second time after 2006. On Sunday, the Raleigh team closed the series 4-2 with a 3-0 win at the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6.
Taylor Hall (4th) got the Canes on track in the first third at the T-Mobile Arena, Jackson Blake (34th) increased the lead in the second period. An empty net goal from Nikolaj Ehlers (59th) made the decision in the final third.
Blake (1 goal, 1 assist) was the only player with 2 scorer points. Goalie Brandon Bussi, who once again stood between the posts instead of Frederik Andersen, achieved the first playoff shutout of his NHL career with 22 saves. For the Golden Knights, Carter Hart stopped 20 shots.
“I’m so happy for the boys. It means so much to me to see how happy they are,” said Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour: “It’s such a great story with this team, I’m really proud.”
NHL: Stanley Cup Finals 2026 at a glance
| Game 1 | Carolina Hurricanes | Vegas Golden Knights | 4:5 |
| Game 2 | Carolina Hurricanes | Vegas Golden Knights | 4:3 OT |
| Game 3 | Vegas Golden Knights | Carolina Hurricanes | 5:4 OT |
| Game 4 | Vegas Golden Knights | Carolina Hurricanes | 3:5 |
| Game 5 | Carolina Hurricanes | Vegas Golden Knights | 4:2 |
| Game 6 | Vegas Golden Knights | Carolina Hurricanes | 0:3 |
Hall: “It’s unbelievable”
Carolina, which was the best team in the Eastern Conference in the regular season and second best overall behind the Colorado Avalanche, trailed 0-1 and 1-2 in the Finals before winning three straight.
“It’s unbelievable. I’ve moved around quite a bit in my career, but when I came here, I felt at home within a few days,” said Hurricanes left wing Hall: “That’s thanks to Rod and the coaching staff. But I’m also really happy for the guys who have been here for seven or eight years. It’s a great group, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
For the Golden Knights, who finished fourth in the Western Conference, it was their third finals appearance in their ninth year of existence. In 2023, the team from Paradise won the crown for the only time so far.
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