HURRICANE FORCE: Canes blank Vegas 3-0, win 2nd Stanley Cup title

The Carolina Hurricanes had been on the brink of championship-level hockey for several seasons before finally breaking through to win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2006. Perhaps because of this strong pedigree, bookmakers are making the Hurricanes the favorites to win the Cup again in 2027.

The Canes shows a leading +700 to win the Stanley Cup for the 2026-27 season, followed immediately by the Colorado Avalanche (+800) and the Stanley Cup runner-up Vegas Golden Knights (+850), according to DraftKings Sportsbook odds. The Edmonton Oilers (11-1), Florida Panthers (11-1) and Tampa Bay Lightning (12-1) make up the next tier.

SEE ALSO | Hurricanes' Stanley Cup championship parade and celebration details

There is some notable variance across the American sportsbook marketplace. At BetMGM and Caesars, the Avalanche are the Stanley Cup favorite, with the Hurricanes in second. Additionally, the Golden Knights have longer odds at several other books, reaching as high as 14-1 at FanDuel, while the Lightning have the third-best odds at a couple of shops.

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By Doug Greenberg, ESPN

ABC11's Tom George was there as Hurricanes players brought the Stanley Cup to Teets, a Glenwood South bar for fans to admire and appreciate the hard-earned trophy.

ABC11 was there as Hurricanes players brought the Stanley Cup to the Glenwood South bar for fans to admire and appreciate the hard-earned trophy.

As the Carolina Hurricanes continued their winning streak, fans across the Triangle packed watch parties, drawing large crowds to Smoky Hollow in Glenwood South and giving nearby businesses a boost.

Thousands gathered to watch games on a giant screen, surrounded by restaurants serving food and drinks throughout the events. The growing crowds brought increased visibility - and revenue - to local establishments as fans celebrated the Hurricanes' Stanley Cup win together.

On Tuesday, remnants of the celebrations remained, but business owners said the surge in customers during the watch parties could have a lasting impact.

"Yeah. It was it was big and it made a big difference. It was a lot more foot traffic. There's a lot of, new guests that we had in the restaurant that had never been to my van. We've been here for three years, so it was really surprising to hear and see what hockey brought to the restaurant," said Allayne McLean of Madre.

Other restaurants reported similar benefits. Midwood Smokehouse said it saw about a 20% increase in diners since the watch parties began.

"You know, especially from outside your front door? It's been great. You know, really have, the community involved here and, you know, just getting everyone to know that we are here and Smokey Hollow is a presence that we can do these sort of events is really just a great opportunity, cause I guess kind of, you know, that's, sort of what works," said Chris St. John of Midwood Smokehouse.

Business owners said they hope the influx of new visitors will continue beyond the postseason, as Smoky Hollow's popularity grows following the Hurricanes' championship run.

Jaccob Slavin tried not to think about the possibility. Now it is a reality.

He and the Carolina Hurricanes winning the Stanley Cup on Sunday night put him in an exclusive club. Slavin became the second American and eighth player to hoist the Cup and take home an Olympic gold medal in the same year.

Ken Morrow until now was the only U.S. player to accomplish the feat. He was on 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Olympic team and a member of the New York Islanders as it started its dynasty of four titles in a row.

"I used to joke I was a trivia question for a lot of years: Who's the only guy that ever did that? Only player I was at that time, not just American, but the only player," Morrow told The Associated Press last week.

All the other players to do it are Canadian: Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan with Detroit in 2002; Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook with Chicago in 2010; and Drew Doughty with Los Angeles in 2014.

William Carrier wins the Cup in Las Vegas again

One of the original Golden Knights, William Carrier was there at the end of their inaugural 2017-18 season when they lost in Game 5 of the final on home ice to Washington. That is better remembered for Alex Ovechkin's primal yell when he lifted the Cup for the first time.

Carrier would rather remember 2023, when he was part of Vegas winning it all, beating Florida in five games. Three years later, he was celebrating in the same arena with Carolina. Asked what was different this time around, Carrier acknowledged he's "just older."

"I'm going to enjoy every moment of it," Carrier said. "Your first win, everything goes fast. You don't know what's going on. So I'm going enjoy this one with the family a lot more."
Frederik Andersen honors late agent Claude Lemieux

Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen played late in the Eastern Conference Final and early in the Stanley Cup Final before his agent, Claude Lemieux, died by suicide on May 28 at age 60.

Lemieux, a three-time Cup champion from his playing days, was on Andersen's mind after finally reaching hockey's mountaintop at age 36.

"He would be so proud and all that," Andersen said. "He's a competitor. He always wanted the best for me, and his players, and his family. It's tough to really describe how much he has meant to me, and how cool it is to have my name on that trophy with him."

Jackson Blake tears up after hugging dad

Carolina right wing Jackson Blake was speaking with reporters when his dad rushed up and hugged him closely. Jason Blake played 13 seasons in the NHL beginning in 1998-99, but never won the Cup.

"He's been my right-hand man through it all," Jackson Blake said. "I don't even know why I'm crying, but it's just unbelievable. For him to be here and my whole family to be here, so special. I have no words. When I saw him, something just hit me, so emotional. I didn't think there were going to be any tears for me, but it's all good. It's worth it."

- The Associated Press contributed.

The Stanley Cup has arrived.

Canes captain Jordan Staal hoisted the Cup after the team arrived at RDU on Monday.