All of ESPN.
All In One Place.
📍Watch on ESPN
Favorites
Customize ESPN
ESPN Apps
ESPN Sites
Early look at the 2026 Stanley Cup Final: Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes
Who will win the championship? The series begins Tuesday on ABC, but here's a head start on all the intel you need to know.
Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images
TOP HEADLINES
East Final - Game 5CAR wins series 4-1
Hurricanes thrash Canadiens, advance to first Stanley Cup Final in 20 years
1:19
Grades and takeaways from Hurricanes' series-clinching Game 5 win
Carolina dominated again in Game 5 to eliminate Montreal. Here's what it all means, with a look ahead.
Hurricanes don't touch ECF trophy, advance to Stanley Cup Final
1:50
Seth Jarvis gives Canes a dominating 6-1 lead on empty-netter
0:38
Cole Caufield gets Canadiens on the board in the third
0:46
Canes fans erupt over Shayne Gostisbehere's power-play goal
0:49
Jackson Blake's rebound goal gives Canes 4-0 lead
0:52
Eric Robinson nets Carolina's third goal of first period
0:57
Logan Stankoven makes it 2-0 Canes in first period
0:41
Canes, Habs honor NHL legend Claude Lemieux ahead of Game 5
0:35
NEXT SEASON STARTS NOW
Keys to the offseason: Free agency plans for Canadiens, every eliminated NHL team
We explore the next moves each team should make this summer and forecast expectations for 2026-27.
Matt Garies/NHLI via Getty Images
ON THE MOVE?
NHL free agency rankings: Who are the best players available on July 1?
From All-Stars and award winners down to diamonds in the rough, here's who will be available this summer.
Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images
Young players in need of a change: Michkov, Nemec, Poitras, more
Who could be next season's Trevor Zegras or Kirby Dach? Here are 12 candidates from around the league.
VIVA LAS VEGAS!
P.K. Subban praises Tortorella for Vegas' playoff success
1:28
HONORING A CHAMPION
Canes, Habs honor NHL legend Claude Lemieux ahead of Game 5
0:35
Kornheiser, Wilbon remember 4-time Stanley Cup champion Claude Lemieux
0:36
BUZZ ON THE ICE
Heard around the postseason: Latest on Matthews, McDavid, Hughes and other big-name players
Could there be big changes in Toronto? What's going on in Minnesota with Quinn Hughes? We check in on all the latest buzz around the NHL with the postseason winding down.
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
NHL
Stanley Cup odds: Hurricanes favored over Golden Knights to take Cup
The Stanley Cup Final is set, with the Carolina Hurricanes entering as favorites over the Vegas Golden Knights.
Top Headlines
- Canes favored over VGK to hoist Stanley Cup
- Canes get over hump, bask in first Final since '06
- Grieving Andersen steps up in goal for Hurricanes
- Everett tops Chicoutimi to set up Kitchener clash
- Police: Ex-NHL star C. Lemieux died by suicide
- Cassidy: 'Upsetting' that Vegas blocking job talks
- 🏒 Free agency tiers: The best players available
Customize ESPN
Trending Now
- Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Stanley Cup playoff trendspotting: More chaos, young stars, more
Midway through the conference finals, here's what has stuck out in the analytics.
- Matt Garies/NHLI via Getty Images
NHL teams' offseason keys, including free agency, draft needs
We explore the next moves each team should make this summer and forecast expectations for 2026-27.
- Candice Ward/Getty Images
How Toronto feels about Mitch Marner, potential playoff MVP
After an up-and-down postseason record with the Leafs, Marner is leading all playoff scorers for a team one win away from the Cup Final.
