The 20-year wait is over for the Carolina Hurricanes. Behind a dominant offensive display, the Hurricanes crushed the Canadiens 6-1 on Friday to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.

Winger Taylor Hall and forward Logan Stankoven led the way with a goal and 2 assists each. With this result, the Hurricanes have won the Eastern Conference Final 4–1, winning four straight games after losing the first one. 

Hall scored first at 9:17 of the opening period after smashing in a rebound from Stankoven’s shot. Later in the period, Hall returned the favor and passed the puck to Stankoven, who made it 2–0.

Winger Eric Robinson scored on a breakaway less than two minutes later, giving Carolina a 3–0 lead. In the second period, winger Jackson Blake made it 4–0 after another strong play from Hall and Stankoven. Then, Shayne Gostisbehere scored on the power play to extend the lead to 5–0.

Cole Caufield grabbed Montreal’s only goal on the power play in the third period. However, forward Seth Jarvis later scored an empty-net goal to make the final score 6–1.

Both Blake and Jarvis finished with a goal and an assist. Goaltender Frederik Andersen made 23 saves and earned his 12th playoff win, capping a dominant display from the Hurricanes.

Carolina imposed control with constant pressure and outshot the Canadiens 167–89 across five games, scoring first in every meeting.

The Hurricanes' strong forecheck forced turnovers, while their scoring depth proved too much for Montreal. The Canadiens could not create enough offense and struggled to keep up with their opponent's speed and intensity.

Taylor Hall and Logan Stankoven Continue Driving Carolina’s Championship Push

Game 5 was another demonstration of how important Taylor Hall and Logan Stankoven are for the Carolina Hurricanes. Hall now has 16 points (5 goals and 11 assists) in 13 playoff games.

He leads all NHL players with 14 even-strength points in the playoffs. On the other hand, Stankoven has scored 12 points, including 9 goals, in the postseason. 

After the game, Stankoven expressed his emotions and set his aim for the cup.

“You want nothing more than to hoist that Cup someday and share it with your teammates and your family,” he said after the victory. “We still have a lot of work to get done.”

The win was also a big moment for coach Rod Brind'Amour. His team reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006, when Carolina beat the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup.

Brind’Amour, who was the captain of that championship team, praised Hall for his strong playoff performance.

“You’ve got to give ‘Hallsy’ a lot of credit for the way he’s played coming to this group,” Brind’Amour said. “He just said, ‘Whatever you need me to do.'”

The Hurricanes have an impressive 12–1 playoff record this season so far. Now, they will face the Vegas Golden Knights, with Game 1 set for June 2, 2026.

After many years of playoff disappointment, Carolina is now only four wins away from winning another Stanley Cup.

What do you think? Will the Hurricanes win their first title in 20 years? Comment on your predictions.

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Sijo Paul