The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is set. The Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes will meet with the silver mug on the line, and the re's real star power on both sides. Yes, even if you only watch highlights from the big markets.
Vegas has the top end. Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner are genuine difference-makers, and the y powered the Golden Knights through the Presidents' Trophy winners in the West final. Carolina isn't exactly rolling in with scrubs either—a 12-1 record through three rounds tends to require some talent on the roster.
Sebastian Aho has been one of the NHL's better two-way centers for years with out getting the attention he deserves. On defense, Jaccob Slavin is another Olympic gold medalist from February suiting up in this series, alongside two teammates who also brought home that hardware.
The goaltending situation is worth noting even if nobody wants to talk about it. Carter Hart and Frederik And ersen each showed holes during the regular season. Whether those resurface under postseason pressure is one of the more interesting subplots ahead.
Top 10 Players in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final
10. K'And re Miller, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Miller found his game after leaving New York for Carolina. In the se playoffs, he's posted a 64.6% expected goals share and a plus-13 goal differential at five-on-five. He's given the Hurricanes another top-four piece that could matter against Vegas.
9. Pavel Dorofeyev, RW, Vegas Golden Knights
Someone has to finish the plays Eichel and Marner create. Dorofeyev has done exactly that—72 goals over the last two season s, including 20 power play tallies in the regular season. His four playoff goals are part of why Vegas is converting at 23.9% on the man advantage.
8. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Carolina Hurricanes
Ehlers might be the fastest player in this series, and in a matchup where time and space will be scarce, speed matters. He logged 27 points in his final 23 regular-season games and has nine points in the postseason, with five coming in the last four games of the East final.
7. Jaccob Slavin, D, Carolina Hurricanes
One of the league's premier shutdown defensemen. Slavin has posted a 57.5% expected goals share at five-on-five over the last three season s. He was leaned on heavily at the Olympics and helped Team USA win gold. You'll see his number on the ice constantly.
6. Shea The odore, D, Vegas Golden Knights
The odore remains one of the more underrated defensemen in the league. The Golden Knights have allowed just 2.32 expected goals against per 60 minutes with him on the ice at five-on-five, while generating 2.9 expected goals for per 60. He'll need to be solid against Carolina's depth.
5. Seth Jarvis, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
Jarvis has led Carolina in goals for two straight season s and hit 30 goals in three consecutive years. He plays bigger than his 5-foot-10 frame and wins battles against larger opponents. The concern: just three goals in 13 playoff games, with a 9.1% shooting percentage well below his 14.2% career rate.
4. Sebastian Aho, C, Carolina Hurricanes
Aho is the first of four elite two-way forwards in this ranking. He's maintained elite play at both ends for nearly a decade despite limited recognition. He hit a point-per-game pace in the regular season for the second time in three years. The playoff production (seven points in 13 games) has been quieter, and his line with Jarvis and And rei Svechnikov hasn't generated as expected.
3. Mark Stone, RW, Vegas Golden Knights
Stone continues to drive play at 34 with smart, relentless two-way play. He posted a 59.2% expected goals share and a plus-19 five-on-five goal differential in the regular season, playing at Selke Trophy level. He missed Games 2 and 3 of the West final with injury but returned in Game 4 and scored. If healthy, he's a game-changer.
2. Mitch Marner, RW, Vegas Golden Knights
Marner answered his playoff critics. He leads the postseason with 21 points, and Vegas has outscored opponents 10-7 with him on the ice at five-on-five. His two-way game is equally impressive—Vegas allowed just 2.21 expected goals against per 60 with him on the ice. He gives the Golden Knights another star at the top of the lineup.
1. Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights
Eichel checks in at No. 1. He's the engine that makes Vegas go, and his playmaking ability elevates everyone around him. The Golden Knights don't reach this point with out him controlling play in the O-zone and making life difficult for opposing defenses shift after shift.