Early look at the 2026 Stanley Cup Final: Golden K...

ESPN NHL reports that The stage is officially set for the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.

After a 16-game journey, the Vegas Golden Knights are the kings of the Western Conference, getting to the Cup Final for the third time in their nine years as a franchise.

The Eastern Conference champion Carolina Hurricanes needed fewer games to reach this juncture, with just 13 games required to defeat three challengers.

Read on for intel on the top players and trends for each team courtesy of ESPN Research, along with the full seven-game schedule and more.

Hurricanes: Defeated Senators in four games, Flyers in four games, Canadiens in five games Golden Knights: Defeated Mammoth in six games, Ducks in six games, Avalanche in four games Hurricanes: Taylor Hall (5 G, 11 A in 13 GP) Golden Knights: Mitch Marner (7 G, 14 A in 16 GP) Hurricanes: Frederik Andersen (12 W | 1.44 GAA | .928 SV%) Golden Knights: Carter Hart (12 W | 2.22 GAA | .924 SV%) Game 1: Golden Knights at Hurricanes | Tuesday, 8 p.m.

ET (ABC) Game 2: Golden Knights at Hurricanes | Thursday, 8 p.m.