B/R Staff Picks Hurricanes Over Golden Knights in 2026 Stanley Cup Final, 3 of 4 Back Carolina
Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 1
B/R Staff Picks Hurricanes Over Golden Knights in 2026 Stanley Cup Final, 3 of 4 Back Carolina
3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Jun 1
Three of four B/R NHL staffers picked Carolina to win the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, with two forecasting a six-game series and one calling for seven.
Carolina enters the matchup at 12-1 in the playoffs, powered by Rod Brind'Amour's forecheck-heavy system, a deeper second line, and Frederik Andersen's postseason-best 1.41 goals-against average.
The lone dissenting pick backed Vegas in six, citing the club's 2023 Cup experience, Mitch Marner's playoff-leading 21 points, Jack Eichel's 16 assists, and 10 goals each from Pavel Dorofeyev and Brett Howden.
Vegas also arrives with momentum after John Tortorella's March 30 hiring helped spark a turnaround from playoff danger to a sweep of Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado in the West final.
Game 1 is set for Tuesday in Raleigh, where Carolina's dominant run meets a veteran Vegas team seen as its toughest postseason test yet.