It’s time for the Last Word on Hockey’s Stanley Cup Final preview. We’re down to the final two in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This time we preview the Vegas Golden Knights vs Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup Final series. Both the Golden Knights and the Hurricanes had a relatively easy time in their respective Conference Final series. Vegas dispatched the Colorado Avalanche in four consecutive games, while Carolina took down the Montreal Canadiens in five games.
Let’s take a look at the matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights in our Stanley Cup Final Preview.
Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup Final Preview
Season Series
Vegas swept the two-game season series by a margin of 10-4. However, both games were in an eight-day span in October. These teams are somewhat different squads then what took the ice in October 2025.
Ivan Barbashev collected a goal and an assist in the 4-1 victory on October 20 at T-Mobile Arena. Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev each tallied a pair of goals in the 6-3 win in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Golden Knights reeled off four goals in the final frame to pull away.
Vegas does have confidence going into the Final. However, these two clubs have a different look than what they first had earlier in the season. We can throw the regular season stats out in the window in this Stanley Cup Final preview.
Goaltending Matchup
Both teams had questions about their goaltending entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, both Frederik Andersen and Carter Hart have been solid in the postseason. Carolina always seemed to be tripped up by shaky goaltending in previous playoff runs. This would always seemingly trip the Canes up at the conference final hurdle.
However, the Dane has been locked in for most of the postseason. Andersen has only lost one game in his 13 starts so far in this run. The veteran goalie has a 1.41 goals-against-average and .931 save percentage. He’s also registered three shutouts and has looked unbeatable at times in between the pipes.
There was plenty of controversy surrounding Hart. However, he has stabilized his team’s goaltending situation in the playoffs. Hart has a 2.22 GAA and a .924 save percentage but has yet to get a shutout in this run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Golden Knights Keys to Victory
Some questioned the decision to fire Bruce Cassidy, who won a Stanley Cup in Vegas, near the end of the season. The decision to hire John Tortorella also raised some eyebrows, but he has installed defensive discipline into the club.
Vegas did overwhelm an injured Colorado roster, but it’s still impressive to sweep the President’s Trophy winners. The Golden Knights have maintained their defensive structure and been playing a very old school style of hockey. It may not look pretty, but the Golden Knights have been effective.
However, the Golden Knights are going to have to find a way to unlock Andersen. The Danish goalie hasn’t given teams much to look at except for that one blip in Game 1 versus Montreal.
Both teams also have strong defensive group and opportunistic scorers. Mitch Marner is leading the team in points (21) while Eichel is first in assists (14).
(Photo by Peter Joneleit)(Credit Image: © Peter Joneleit/Cal Sport Media)
Hurricanes Keys to Victory
Carolina has been very stingy for most of its postseason run. There was only that small outlier in Game 1 against the Habs, and some of that could have been chalked up to Canes nearly having two weeks off between games.
The Hurricanes have been great at stifling teams and preventing them from getting shots. There were games where Montreal didn’t even register 15 shots on goal and this allowed Carolina to dictate terms. The Golden Knights may have swept the regular season series, but this is a dangers Hurricanes squad.
Much like Vegas, Carolina has a strong back end that has some good balance. Jaccob Slavin is a lockdown defender, and Shayne Gostisbehere is a strong puck-mover. Whichever defence comes out firing should give their team the advantage.
Logan Stankoven has been awesome this postseason with nine goals. Former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall leads the club in assists (11) and points (16).
Prediction
These two teams play smart hockey and don’t make that many mistakes. Vegas or Carolina will have to jump on any opportunities that present themselves.
Goaltending will also be a major topic of discussion. Andersen has been elite, but can he sustain that pace for the playoffs. There’s plenty of chatter around Hart, but he’s done plenty to put his team in position.
Carolina has been playing like it has been on a mission this postseason. Rod Brind’Amour and his team have finally gotten over the hump. However, it doesn’t seem like the Hurricanes are satisfied with just making it to the Final. The team had a terrible record in the Eastern Final prior to beating Montreal in five games.
Vegas has adapted quickly under a new head coach. However, Carolina seems to be ready to hoist the vaunted silver chalice for the first time in 20 years.
Prediction: Hurricanes win in six games.
Main photo by: James Guillory-Imagn Images
