2026 Stanley Cup Final: Hurricanes win series 4-2, Jordan Staal gets playoff MVP
CBS Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- The Carolina Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup in 20 years by defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6, with goaltender Brandon Bussi posting a shutout and making history as the third first-year goalie to do so in a Cup-clinching game.
- Jordan Staal, at 37 years and 277 days old, became the oldest player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, contributing six goals in the Final and excelling defensively throughout the series.
- Coach Rod Brind'Amour made NHL history as the fourth coach to win a Stanley Cup with the same team he captained to a previous Cup victory, solidifying his central role in the Hurricanes franchise.
- The Hurricanes overcame years of playoff disappointments by leveraging depth and aggressive play, finishing the postseason with a 16-3 record, the second-best since the NHL expanded to four rounds.
- Carolina's championship run highlighted the success of underdog players like Taylor Hall, Jordan Staal, and Brandon Bussi, demonstrating that a team without traditional superstars can win the Stanley Cup.
