RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights looks even in a lot of ways, with very little margin for error.
Vegas has won 12 of 16 games in the playoffs, including a sweep of Colorado in the West final, while Carolina has taken 12 of 13. They've allowed the third-fewest and fewest goals against, respectively, while each scoring more than three goals a game.
The action gets underway Tuesday night in the Lenovo Center.
All games begin at 8 p.m. and can be seen on ABC11.
Check back here for live updates throughout the best-of-seven championship series.
- The Associated Press contributed.
Kate Rogerson caught up with NHL Network's Kathryn Tappen at Stanley Cup media day on Monday.
They talk about the significance of the Stanley Cup Final being back in Raleigh, Rod Brind'Amour's leadership, and expectations for the series between the Canes and Golden Knights.
Game 1 of the series is on Tuesday night at the Lenovo Center.
Watch the video below for the full interview.
The iconic Stanley Cup went on display in Raleigh on Monday, and though many admired it, no one dared touch it.
Watch the video below as Kate Rogerson reports from the Lenovo Center.
The Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes looks like a toss-up.
Both teams have looked in peak form as they've generally rolled through the playoffs to reach the championship series.
So, what could be the difference in the series? Special teams.
The Hurricanes' penalty kill is clicking along at a 92.5% success rate, allowing four goals and scoring once shorthanded.
"Carolina's been an elite penalty-killing team for years now, and that's part of their identity and that comes from their puck pressure and their sticks, their discipline - all that kind of stuff," goaltender-turned-NHL Network analyst Cory Schneider said. "Vegas will have its work cut out for itself."
Vegas has been elite itself. The Golden Knights allowed six power-play goals through three rounds and scored four times short-handed.
Brayden McNabb, who has been around since the team's inaugural season in 2017-18, has been a key cog of that, logging more than 45 total minutes of ice time on the kill. Three other huge pieces are players that general manager Kelly McCrimmon brought in midseason.
Goaltender Carter Hart, whose presence alone has been scrutinized, has stopped 64 of 70 shots while an opponent is on the power play. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson, acquired before the Olympic break, and center Nic Dowd, an addition on the eve of the trade deadline, have, along with McNabb, been among the first guys over the boards on the penalty kill.
It has been old reliable for the Hurricanes, with defensive defenseman Jaccob Slavin skating over 56 minutes short-handed. Coach Rod Brind'Amour's team plays with a particular structure all the time, and this is where it is most effective as long as the three or four guys on the ice in front of goalie Frederik Andersen are on the same page.
Vegas' power play has scored 11 times in 46 opportunities, good for 24%. Captain Mark Stone and winger Pavel Dorofeyev have four apiece, while centers Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl each have six power-play assists.
"I find the Vegas power play to be more threatening," Schneider said. "Can Carolina quiet Vegas' power play and force them 5 on 5 in order to beat them?"
The better question is, can Carolina's power play keep up? It is 7 of 56 in the playoffs, a 12.5% rate that has gotten the job done against Ottawa, Philadelphia and Montreal.
Vegas, as Brind'Amour said, is "a different animal."
"Carolina's got a good power play, don't get me wrong, but I think that could be a bit of a wash, and Carolina's going to have to try to generate more 5-on-5 offense than rely on their power play like Vegas should," Schneider said.
Given these teams' ability to put the puck in the net at even strength, there will be an emphasis on discipline. Stay out of the box and play 5 on 5, where the Golden Knights have scored 34 goals and the Hurricanes 30.
Vegas has averaged a little under four minor penalties a game to Carolina's five. That makes every power play even more valuable, with much of the games becoming a test of two teams with demanding coaches who don't let a lot of the details slip.
"They play the right way," Slavin said. "They play a very similar style to us. It's going to be who can do it better and who can stay on it longer. But it's going to be an awesome series."
- The Associated Press contributed.
The City of Raleigh will host "official" watch parties for Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. They'll be held at Moore Square.
Can't get to the game or a watch party? Catch all the action live on ABC11.
