The NHL released the schedule for the 2026 Stanley Cup Final after the Carolina Hurricanes closed out the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Final on Friday night.
After securing a 6-1 home-ice victory in Game 5 to eliminate the Habs, the Hurricanes are set for their first championship series appearance since they won the Cup in 2006. They’ll take on a Vegas Golden Knights team that stormed past the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in just four games and is back in the Cup Final for the first time since winning it in 2023.
Carolina made quick work of the Canadiens on Friday, blitzing Montreal with three goals from Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven, and Eric Robinson in a 7:35 span during the first period. The Habs didn’t get on the board through Cole Caufield until the score was 5-0 and the third period was already half over. Seth Jarvis added an empty-net goal to seal the victory.
Hurricanes and Canadiens handshake line after Game 5
Just as the Golden Knights did not touch the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl earlier this week, the Hurricanes did not touch the Prince of Wales Trophy after being awarded it by NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly.
The Hurricanes came into this year’s Eastern Conference Final attempting to rid themselves of a curse, as they had a 1-16 record in their four appearances in the series since winning the 2006 Stanley Cup. Three of those series (2009, 2019, 2023) were four-game sweeps. Instead of continuing those losing ways, they settled for a gentleman’s sweep of their own and are now 12-1 during this postseason.
Hurricanes bench boss Rod Brind’Amour has now been a part of 98 of the franchise’s 100 all-time playoff wins, 39 as a player and 59 as the team’s head coach. He is the first coach to take a team to the Stanley Cup after previously captaining the same franchise since Toe Blake did so with the Canadiens in 1968.
Game 1 of the 2026 Cup Final is set for Tuesday, June 2, at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes will have home-ice advantage after finishing the regular season with more standings points (113) than the Golden Knights (95). They will be the first team from the Metropolitan Division to play for a Cup since the Washington Capitals beat the Golden Knights in 2018.
According to Newsday’s Ted Starkey, Carolina’s Jaccob Slavin and Vegas’ Jack Eichel are also vying to become the first American player since Ken Morrow in 1980 to win an Olympic gold medal and the Stanley Cup in the same year.
Every game in the series will start at 8 pm ET and will be available on ABC in the United States. In Canada, every game will be available on Sportsnet, CBC, and TVA Sports.
Schedule for the 2026 Stanley Cup Final
Carolina [M1] vs. Vegas [P1]
Game 1
Vegas at Carolina
Tuesday, June 2 at 8 pm
TV: ABC, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 2
Vegas at Carolina
Thursday, June 4 at 8 pm
TV: ABC, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 3
Carolina at Vegas
Saturday, June 6 at 8 pm
TV: ABC, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 4
Carolina at Vegas
Tuesday, June 9 at 8 pm
TV: ABC, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 5*
Vegas at Carolina
Thursday, June 11, at 8 pm
TV: ABC, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 6*
Carolina at Vegas
Sunday, June 14, at 8 pm
TV: ABC, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 7*
Vegas at Carolina
Wednesday, June 17, at 8 pm
TV: ABC, SN, CBC, TVAS
According to an NHL press release, Media Day in advance of the Stanley Cup Final will take place on Monday, June 1.
