NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 15, 2026, 2:49 PM ET

Stanley Cup Final Results & Celebration

Carolina secured their second Stanley Cup championship with a 3-0 victory in Game 6 on Sunday night, as Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake each potted their seventh playoff goals and Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-net tally to finish off the Vegas Golden Knights. Captain Jordan Staal made history as the oldest Conn Smythe Trophy winner at age, capping a postseason run that saw the Hurricanes never waver despite years of playoff setbacks. Goaltender Frederik Andersen, 36, shared praise with Brandon Bussi after both contributed to the championship, with Andersen starting the series before Bussi took over duties. Coach Rod Brind'Amour and GM Eric Tulsky built a championship roster that delivered Carolina's first Cup in 20 years, validating their patient approach through multiple near-miss playoff campaigns.

Offseason Outlook & Future Bets

The Hurricanes opened as +700 favorites to win the 2027 Stanley Cup, ahead of the Colorado Avalanche at +800 and Vegas Golden Knights at +850, while Edmonton, Florida and Tampa Bay sit at 11-1 and 12-1 odds respectively. ESPN's way-too-early power rankings position Carolina at the top for next fall's campaign, reflecting their championship core retention and strong organizational depth. The 2026 NHL draft will take place June 26-27 in Buffalo, with all 32 teams set to make selections across 224 total picks as franchises begin rebuilding for the future.

Coaching Carousel

John Tortorella left his future with Vegas uncertain after the Golden Knights' Game 6 defeat, saying he hasn't considered whether to return to the bench for another season. The veteran coach took over mid-season and led the Golden Knights to the Final, but fell short in the decisive game against Carolina's balanced attack.