Golden Knights, Hurricanes Meet in Stanley Cup Final Game 1
7 verified4 unconfirmed
The Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes open the 2026 Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday night at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. The Hurricanes enter as betting favorites after winning 12 of their first 13 postseason games, the best start by any NHL team since the 1976 Montreal Canadiens. The Golden Knights carry a six-game winning streak into the series and have posted a 19-4-1 record since John Tortorella took over as head coach in late March. Both teams are chasing their second championship: Carolina won its only Cup in 2006, while Vegas won its first in 2023. The series is the first postseason meeting between the franchises, with Vegas having swept both regular-season matchups.
What’s verified
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Carolina Hurricanes are listed as betting favorites, with Vegas Golden Knights as underdogs.
Carolina has won 12 of its first 13 playoff games (a 12-1 record), the best start for any NHL team since the 1976 Montreal Canadiens.
The Vegas Golden Knights enter the Final on a six-game winning streak.
John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy as head coach in late March; Vegas is 19-4-1 since the change.
Carolina won its only Stanley Cup in 2006; Vegas won its first championship in 2023.
This is the first postseason meeting between the two franchises.
Not yet confirmed
One source stated that the Golden Knights have outscored opponents 33-19 in eight road playoff games this postseason.
One source reported that 13 players on the current Vegas roster were part of the 2023 Cup-winning team.
One source provided specific betting odds and player prop suggestions for Game 1.
Quotes from Vegas defenseman Shea Theodore and forward Jack Eichel, and from Carolina forwards Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis, appeared in only one source.
Key figures
John Tortorella (head coach, Vegas Golden Knights)
Jack Eichel (forward, Vegas Golden Knights)
Rod Brind’Amour (head coach, Carolina Hurricanes)
Shea Theodore (defenseman, Vegas Golden Knights)
Andrei Svechnikov (forward, Carolina Hurricanes)
Seth Jarvis (forward, Carolina Hurricanes)
Brayden McNabb (defenseman, Vegas Golden Knights)
Sources: CBS Sports, deadspin.com
