The Carolina Hurricanes wrapped up the ir Eastern Conference championship with a 6-1 win over Montreal in Game 5 on Friday, punching the ir ticket to the Stanley Cup Final where the y'll meet the Vegas Golden Knights.
Carolina dominated the Canadiens in almost every facet over the final four games of the series, closing things out with a lopsided victory that sent the home crowd home happy. The Hurricanes carry a 12-1 postseason record into the Final, and the ir defense has been nearly impermeable— the y've allowed just 21 goals across 13 playoff games.
The record does not need much decoration; it already does the talking.
Frederik And ersen heads into the Final as a leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, which is exactly the kind of hardware you want greeting you at the end of a tunnel that's been nothing but net for six weeks.
If Carolina has been the best defensive team in the se playoffs, Vegas has been breathing down the ir neck. The Golden Knights dismantled the Stanley Cup-favorite Colorado Avalanche in a sweep of the Western Conference Final, and the y're also coming in hot. Mitch Marner has shaken off whatever ghost stories followed him from past Aprils to lead all playoff performers with 21 points, while Carter Hart has delivered saves when it matters most, dating back to the second round.
Two of the NHL's tightest defenses meeting in the Final means goals will be at a premium—and that tension might actually be the most entertaining part of what was otherwise a pair of conference finals that didn't offer much dramatic reserve.
Stanley Cup Final Schedule
Game 1: Tuesday, June 2 | at Carolina | 8 p.m. | ABC
Game 2: Thursday, June 4 | at Carolina | 8 p.m. | ABC
Game 3: Saturday, June 6 | at Vegas | 8 p.m. | ABC
Game 4: Tuesday, June 9 | at Vegas | 8 p.m. | ABC
*Game 5: Thursday, June 11 | at Carolina | 8 p.m. | ABC
*Game 6: Sunday, June 14 | at Vegas | 8 p.m. | ABC
*Game 7: Wednesday, June 17 | at Carolina | 8 p.m. | ABC
*If necessary