2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final Preview: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes
The NHL playoffs have reached the Stanley Cup Final, with the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes emerging as the two finalists. Both teams have been on a hot streak over the past two months, with Vegas sweeping the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado in the West final and Carolina getting past Montreal in five games. This final matchup will feature two new champions, as the Florida Panthers were sidelined by injuries after three consecutive trips to the final, and Edmonton was knocked out by Anaheim.
In the Western Conference, Vegas defeated Utah and Anaheim in six games before sweeping the Avalanche in four. In the Eastern Conference, Carolina swept Ottawa and Philadelphia before advancing to the final for the first time since 2006 after responding to a Game 1 loss against the Canadiens. The playoffs feature the top three teams from each division and the next two highest-placed teams in each conference, regardless of division, with all four rounds being best-of-seven series.
The Stanley Cup Final between Carolina and Vegas will kick off with Game 1 on Tuesday night, with Carolina being a slight favorite. All playoff games will be nationally televised in the U.S on ESPN or Turner networks, while in Canada, the games will be shown on Sportsnet and CBC. The final series starts on Tuesday night and could potentially go as late as June 20 if it goes to a Game 7.
In the West, Vegas, under the coaching of John Tortorella, has been on a roll since late March, with Mitch Marner standing out as one of the best players in the postseason. In the East, the Carolina Hurricanes have been propelled by dominant goaltending from Frederik Andersen and stellar play from Taylor Hall, aiming to secure the franchise’s second championship and first since 2006. With Canada's Stanley Cup drought continuing, the last Canadian team to win being Montreal in 1993, the upcoming final will see a new champion crowned.