Stanley Cup playoffs daily: Previews, stats, schedule, bracket

ByESPN Staff ESPN logo

Saturday, May 30, 2026 12:56PM

Although the Carolina Hurricanes didn't manage a conference finals sweep -- as they had in the previous two rounds -- they dispatched the Montreal Canadiens in five games and are off to the Stanley Cup Final.

They will take on the Vegas Golden Knights, who did sweep their way through the conference finals round against the Colorado Avalanche.

Here's an early look at how the teams match up in the Final, and read on below for details on how the Canes finished off the Habs, as well as updated playoff stats.

Friday's scoreboard

Carolina Hurricanes 6, Montreal Canadiens 1

Hurricanes win 4-1

The teams traded chances early in the first period, eventually leading to a Taylor Hall goal at 9:17. After replay review, the goal was confirmed. Hall's linemate Logan Stankoven got in on the action about six minutes later with his ninth of the postseason, and Eric Robinson sent the home crowd into a frenzy with another goal at 16:52.

Up 3-0 in the second, Carolina didn't take its foot off the gas, continuing to pressure Montreal at both ends of the ice, and getting goals from Jackson Blake and Shayne Gostisbehere. It wouldn't be until 10:50 of the third that the Canadiens finally broke the shutout streak (a goal by Cole Caufield), but that was too little and too late. The Seth Jarvis empty-net goal at 16:19 made the score 6-1, and the party atmosphere intensified with the Canes headed back to the Cup Final for the first time since 2006. Full recap | Grades