Welcome back. We alluded to it in our Game 4 edition of NHL Predictions, but this series has seemingly had it all. Now that the Carolina Hurricanes have tied the Stanley Cup Final series at two games apiece and did so last time out in Nevada, it has really shifted the dynamic of this series. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights will need to be sharp in order to win in Carolina in Game 5, but they have proven that they can do it. So, check out our storylines, statistics, and analysis to find out who we think prevails in Game 5 in the battle for Lord Stanley’s Holy Grail.
NHL Predictions, Game 5: Hurricanes vs Golden Knights
How to Watch: ABC, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports
Puck Drop: 8:00 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) | 5:00 p.m. PDT (Pacific Daylight Time)
Venue: We are headed back to wild North Carolina, and the Lenovo Center in Raleigh.
Credit Image: © Jacob Kupferman/Cal Sport Media
The stats really are flying fast and furious for this Stanley Cup Final and our NHL Predictions. From big-time performances by seasoned veterans, such as the Hurricanes Jordan Staal in Game 4, to red-hot scoring like Mitch Marner from Game 3, to futile goaltending throughout this final series, it truly has been quite spectacular.
The Action and Stats are Fierce
One stat for the goalies, and just a heads up, it isn’t a good one. Carter Hart, in surrendering four or more in each of the first-four games of a Stanley Cup Final, has became the first goaltender ever to do so. He still has decent numbers with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in the playoffs to this point. However, if he isn’t able to come up with the big save, at the big time, it could end up being costly for his Golden Knight side.
Furthermore, on the goaltending, Hart’s lack of stellar play is far from the biggest storyline from between the pipes. Who is going to get the call for Carolina, Brandon Bussi or Frederik Andersen? Andersen had been lights out until the Stanley Cup Final. In contrast, Bussi has played well in the last two games. It won’t be an easy decision for head coach Rod Brind’Amour, to be sure, as per our NHL Predictions.
In any case, it has been the two teams’ respective offences that have taken over. The 8.25 average goals-per-game in the first four games, would be the fifth highest average for a Stanley Cup Final series ever, if they keep it up. And based on the empirical evidence, there is little to suggest anything to the contrary. Although that is why it is such a great game, anything and everything could happen, when you least expect it.
Some Storylines from Vegas’ Side for NHL Predictions
For Vegas, we keep going back to the total playoff performance, but even more relevant to the Stanley Cup Final, of Brett Howden. The unlikely goal scorer has taken over these playoffs, not unlike many playoff heroes in the past. The recently passed Claude Lemieux comes to mind as a great example, or perhaps the play of former Golden Knight Jonathan Marchessault when he took home the Conn Smythe Trophy honours in 2025-26. We still have Mitch Marner as the favourite, if Vegas wins, especially given his all-world Game 3 showing, but Howden just keeps piling on the goals. His 14 leads the entire playoffs, and he is up to four goals and two assists, in this final series alone.
For Marner, he leads the playoffs with 29 points (10 goals and 19 assists). He also leads the Golden Knights in shots on goals with 53. Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev aren’t far behind, however, both tied with 49. Eichel is second on Vegas in points with 20.
Carolina is Showing Why They Were the Class of the East
For Carolina, their depth is also really starting to show. Some of their top offensive guys like Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov have just 11 and 9 points, respectively, this postseason. Meanwhile, guys in a depth role, like Staal and Nikolaj Ehlers, have 11 and 14 points, respectively. Vegas needs to stay on their toes, regardless of who is on the ice.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets
This has been a great series thus far, with the players putting on an awesome display of speed, skill, and playoff grit. You can see it in the names that have been putting on all-world displays. Whether that is Brayden McNabb’s offence, despite a battered nose, or Carolina powered by the line of Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven, and Jackson Blake, the series is loaded with depth and it is anybody’s guess who will be the hero is the best-of-three mini-series that remains. We give Carolina a slight edge with home-ice advantage, and maybe the logic of a slightly more physically and mentally rested goalie.
Prediction: Carolina 4 – Vegas 3
Best Bets
Who will be our classic anytime, goal-scorers you ask? William Karlsson is coming in with a goal and an assist from Game 4, we think he hits the back of the net tonight. Logan Stankoven has 11 tucks on these playoffs, and leads Carolina with 53 shots, we think one of his shots in Game 5, finds it away across the goal line. Game, Canes!
#StanleyCup Final series to see both teams collect at least 16 goals through the first 4 games played:@Canes vs #GoldenKnights (2026 via a 17-16 goal advantage in the Hurricanes' favour thanks to their 5-3 win in Gm4 tonight)
Vancouver Millionaires- 20/Toronto Arenas- 16 (1918)— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) June 10, 2026
Main Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
