Golden Knights meet Hurricanes in Final

The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is set with the Carolina Hurricanes facing the Vegas Golden Knights after Vegas finished off the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference final, according to the NHL. Carolina had already clinched the Eastern Conference title and will open the series at home because it finished with 113 regular-season points to Vegas' 95. The NHL said Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, in Raleigh, North Carolina, with every game set for 8 p.m. ET. ### How did this matchup come together? Vegas reached the Final by sweeping Colorado in four games, with the clinching win coming in Las Vegas, the NHL said. The Golden Knights had also beaten the Utah Mammoth in six games in the first round and the Anaheim Ducks in six games in the second round. Carolina secured the Eastern Conference championship before Vegas completed its series, and the Hurricanes' playoff page says the club moved on to the Final with tickets and watch-party details posted for fans. (nhl.com) NHL.com said the matchup became official once Vegas closed out Colorado. ### Why does Carolina have home ice? Carolina's 113 points in the regular season gave the Hurricanes home-ice advantage over Vegas, which finished with 95 points, according to the Hurricanes and NHL.com. (nhl.com) That means Carolina will host Games 1 and 2 at Lenovo Center, plus Games 5 and 7 if those games are necessary. Vegas will host Games 3 and 4 at T-Mobile Arena, and Game 6 if needed. (nhl.com) The NHL's series page lists the full alternating format: June 2 and June 4 in Raleigh, June 6 and June 9 in Las Vegas, then June 11, June 14 and June 17 for Games 5 through 7 if required. The league notes that the schedule remains subject to change. ### What stands out about the two teams entering the series? The Associated Press reported Tuesday that both clubs arrived in the Final on the strength of defense. (nhl.com) AP also said the matchup is the 68th unique Stanley Cup Final pairing in NHL history. NHL.com said Vegas is back in the Cup Final for the first time since 2023. (nhl.com) Carolina is chasing the franchise's second Stanley Cup title and enters with home ice after the stronger regular season, according to the team's playoff coverage. ### Where can fans watch and buy tickets? ABC will carry every game in the United States, while Sportsnet, CBC and TVA Sports will air the series in Canada, the NHL said. (apnews.com) The Hurricanes' official playoff page says Stanley Cup Final tickets are available through the team, and the Golden Knights' playoff hub lists home dates for Games 3 and 4 in Las Vegas. (nhl.com) NHL.com also lists the series on its playoff schedule page, with game centers and ticket links attached to each date. USA Today separately reported the same June 2 opener in Raleigh. ### What happens next on the calendar? Tuesday, June 2, is the scheduled opener at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, the NHL said. Game 2 is set for Thursday, June 4, before the series shifts to Las Vegas for Games 3 and 4 on June 6 and June 9. (nhl.com) If the Final goes long, the NHL schedule lists June 11, June 14 and June 17 for Games 5, 6 and 7. (nhl.com) The league's published schedule and team playoff hubs are the official places tracking any changes, ticket inventory and game-center updates.