Hurricanes stifle Golden Knights to capture first Stanley Cup since 2006

Chip Alexander and Justin Pelletier, The News & Observer on Jun 14, 2026

Published in Hockey

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LAS VEGAS — The Carolina Hurricanes are Stanley Cup champions again, nearly 20 years to the day of their first championship run.

Taylor Hall scored in the first period, Jackson Blake in the second, Nikolaj Ehlers into an empty net in the third and goalie Brandon Bussi locked the game down throughout, making 22 saves as the Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 Sunday in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena, earning Carolina its second Stanley Cup championship in franchise history.

The parallels between the Canes’ 2006 title run and this year’s win are uncanny:

— Both Hurricanes teams featured a Staal brother front and center.

— Both Carolina teams featured Rod Brind’Amour in a starring role — in 2006 as the captain, in 2026 as the head coach.

— Both Hurricanes teams featured an emergent rookie goalie replacing a veteran at a key moment in the playoffs, and playing well in relief. In 2006, it was Cam Ward. In 2026, it’s Bussi, who stepped in in relief of Frederik Andersen in Game 3.

But then, a key difference, one Hurricanes players, coaches and fans alike are more than happy to have:

This year’s edition of the Canes didn’t squander a Game 6 opportunity to put the series away and leave things to chance in a Game 7.

Hall, Blake and linemate Logan Stankoven took care of that. That line — the Kids and the Hall — started the playoffs strong, leading the Hurricanes in scoring as others struggled to find their scoring touch.

They finished the playoffs just as strong.

Hall started things off for the Canes in the first period Sunday, wristing a quick shot from the top of the left circle past Vegas keeper Carter Hart’s glove hand to put the visitors in front, 1-0. That goal also sent the hundreds of Hurricanes fans on hand in Vegas into a frenzy, waves of red visible around the arena.

Bussi was at his early best at the tail end of the first period, when he stopped five consecutive power play shots to close out the frame, including one with his chest as he dove headlong across the crease from his right to left.

Blake finished a hustle play with a one-timer from the top of the slot on a slick feed from Stankoven at 13:31 of the second period to give the Canes a cushion at 2-0.

In the third, the Canes weathered the inevitable push, including the last few minutes with the goalie pulled, to shut it down.

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