Carolina Hurricanes beat Golden Knights to win hockey's 2026 Stanley Cup, Staal named playoff MVP

The Carolina Hurricanes have captured their second Stanley Cup championship, clinching the title with a decisive 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the NHL's best-of-seven final. Goaltender Brandon Bussi was instrumental, recording 22 saves for a crucial shutout.

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It's amazing, this is something I've been going after since we got the first one.

Captain Jordan Staal, at 37 years old, became the oldest player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Staal, who scored in five of the six final games, expressed his elation, stating, "It's amazing, this is something I've been going after since we got the first one." He emphasized the team's collective effort and the intensity of the competition.

Taylor Hall, playing for his seventh NHL team, scored the game-winning goal early in the first period, a moment he described as exceeding his expectations. "Your mind wanders the last couple of days and wonders what it may be like out here, and it's better than I could have expected," Hall said after the win. Nikolaj Ehlers and Jackson Blake also contributed goals for Carolina.

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A state of shock. Your mind wanders the last couple of days and wonders what it may be like out here, and it's better than I could have expected.

The Hurricanes' victory marks their first Stanley Cup since 2006. The team's performance throughout the playoffs, culminating in this championship win, has cemented their place in NHL history.

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You want to win it again and again and again. And what a feeling, what a battle. The boys were grinding today. My goodness, so many individual efforts.