NHL: Carolina wins Stanley Cup in Vegas, ending 20-year drought
Carolina Hurricanes players celebrate winning the Stanley Cup (photo: x.com/NHL)
On the night of June 15, the decisive sixth game of the NHL playoff final series for the 2025/26 season took place. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights away in a confident performance and claimed hockey’s ultimate trophy, according to the official league website.
NHL. Stanley Cup Final. Game 6
Vegas Golden Knights – Carolina Hurricanes – 0:3 (0:1, 0:1, 0:1)
Series score – 2:4
Final touch into an empty net
The Carolina team arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a series lead (3:2) and decided not to delay winning the title.
The visitors shocked the hosts already in the 4th minute: after a turnover, Taylor Hall scored a precise shot under the far post. In the middle of the second period, Thomas Blake doubled the Hurricanes’ lead after a sustained attacking sequence. The final point of the game was scored by Nikolaj Ehlers, who scored into an empty net late in the match when the hosts desperately pulled their goalie for a sixth skater.
Strong defense from Carolina and outstanding goaltending by Brandon Bussi, who recorded a shutout and stopped all 22 shots, allowed the team to hold on to the winning score.
The Golden double for Brind’Amour
Thus, Carolina won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2006. Both of the club’s titles are linked to Rod Brind’Amour: 20 years ago, he lifted the Cup as the team’s captain, and now he led them to the championship as head coach.
The playoff MVP award was given to 37-year-old Carolina center Jordan Staal.
Carolina wins the Stanley Cup after 20 years
Attack on opponents: Carolina’s path to the Cup
Carolina had a phenomenal season, starting with a victory in the Eastern Conference regular season (53 wins and 29 losses).
In the knockout rounds, Brind’Amour’s team showed absolute dominance, sweeping through the playoff bracket with no real chance for their opponents:
- Round of 16: Ottawa Senators – 4:0 series win
- Quarterfinals: Philadelphia Flyers – 4:0 series win
- Eastern Conference Final: Montreal Canadiens – 4:1 series win
- Stanley Cup Final: Vegas Golden Knights – 4:2 series win
Despite losing two of the first three games in the final against Vegas, the Hurricanes turned the series around. Game results: 4:5, 4:3, 4:5, 5:3, 4:2, 3:0.
