The Carolina Hurricanes capped off their domination of the Montreal Canadiens with a 6-1 win in Game 5 on Friday, clinching the Eastern Conference title and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final where they will face the Vegas Golden Knights.
After crushing the Canadiens in almost every aspect in the last four games of the series, Carolina closed things out with a lopsided win. The Hurricanes enter the Stanley Cup Final with a 12-1 record in the postseason, and their defense has been stifling. The team has allowed just 21 goals in 13 games, and goaltender Frederik Andersen enters the Final as a frontrunner for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Golden Knights Await After Dominant Series
If the Hurricanes have been the best defensive team in these playoffs, the Vegas Golden Knights have been a close second. Vegas came off the most impressive series by any team in the postseason, sweeping the Stanley Cup-favorite Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final.
Mitch Marner has shaken off his past playoff failures to lead all playoff performers with 21 points as his elite two-way game has driven the Golden Knights' success. Vegas has also gotten a surprising boost in goal from Carter Hart, who has been stellar dating back to the second round.
With two of the best defensive teams in the NHL facing off in the Stanley Cup Final, goals should be hard to come by, creating what promises to be an exciting championship series.
Stanley Cup Final Schedule
| Game | Date | Location | Time | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuesday, June 2 | at CAR | 8 p.m. | ABC |
| 2 | Thursday, June 4 | at CAR | 8 p.m. | ABC |
| 3 | Saturday, June 6 | at VGK | 8 p.m. | ABC |
| 4 | Tuesday, June 9 | at VGK | 8 p.m. | ABC |
| 5* | Thursday, June 11 | at CAR | 8 p.m. | ABC |
| 6* | Sunday, June 14 | at VGK | 8 p.m. | ABC |
| 7* | Wednesday, June 17 | at CAR | 8 p.m. | ABC |
Eastern Conference Final Results
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens (Carolina wins 4-1)
- Game 1: Canadiens 6, Hurricanes 2
- Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Canadiens 2
- Game 3: Hurricanes 3, Canadiens 2
- Game 4: Hurricanes 4, Canadiens 0
- Game 5: Hurricanes 6, Canadiens 1
Western Conference Final Results
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche (Vegas wins 4-0)
- Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Avalanche 2
- Game 2: Golden Knights 3, Avalanche 1
- Game 3: Golden Knights 5, Avalanche 3
- Game 4: Golden Knights 2, Avalanche 1