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The first three rounds of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs have come and gone, and the Stanley Cup Final is here. In the conference finals, both series were short, with the Vegas Golden Knights sweeping the Colorado Avalanche and the Carolina Hurricanes eliminating the Montreal Canadiens in five games. The Stanley Cup finalists are:
- Carolina Hurricanes – Back in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20 years, when they won their only championship in 2006. They’ve lost one game throughout the postseason.
- Vegas Golden Knights – In the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in their nine-season history as a franchise, they’re seeking their second championship after winning it all in 2023.
Join The Hockey Writers for our coverage of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and check back in for previews of the conference finals and the Stanley Cup Final.
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule & Bracket
- 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule (updated as games are scheduled)
- 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket
- 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals Hub
- 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Hub
- 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Hub
2026 Stanley Cup Final Articles
- Short Conference Finals Adding to NHL’s Playoff Format Frustrations
- 4 Stanley Cup Finalists With Pittsburgh Penguins Ties
Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights (Preview Show)
- Hurricanes Looking for Franchise’s 2nd Stanley Cup Versus Golden Knights
- Frederik Andersen’s Stellar Postseason Boosting Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup Chances
- Hurricanes Players & Brind’Amour Discuss Eastern Conference Final Win
- Mitch Marner Continues to Prove His Value in Golden Knights Playoff Push
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