Hurricanes Grab 3-2 Cup Lead, One Win From a Title

Sport

By lines

June 11, 2026

The Carolina Hurricanes moved one win from the Stanley Cup Final title on Thursday. Carolina beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in Game 5. The Hurricanes now lead the series 3-2.

Svechnikov and Aho Power Carolina Past Vegas

Andrei Svechnikov scored twice for the Hurricanes, including a go-ahead power-play goal. Svechnikov beat Vegas goaltender Carter Hart from the left wing in the second period. Sebastian Aho added a goal for Carolina in Game 5. The Hurricanes scored two power-play goals against the Golden Knights.

Carolina converted two power-play chances against the Vegas penalty kill in Game 5. The Hurricanes leaned on Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho for the offense. Svechnikov now owns a multi-goal night in the Stanley Cup Final for Carolina. The Hurricanes outscored the Golden Knights 4-2 despite an early Vegas lead.

Brandon Bussi stopped 21 of 23 shots in net for the Hurricanes. Bussi made his second consecutive start for Carolina in this series. Pavel Dorofeyev scored both Vegas goals, including one on the power play. Dorofeyev gave the Golden Knights a brief lead early in Game 5.

The Hurricanes recalled goaltender Amir Miftakhov from the AHL before Game 5. Carolina made that roster move hours ahead of the Vegas matchup on Thursday. The Hurricanes have now won three of the five games against Vegas. Carolina swung the series after an even 2-2 split through four games.

The Carolina Hurricanes last won the Stanley Cup in 2006. A 2026 title would end a 20-year championship gap for Carolina. The Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference final several times since that 2006 run. Carolina now sits one victory from a second Stanley Cup.

Game 6 returns to Las Vegas on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. The Hurricanes can clinch the Stanley Cup on the road in Game 6. The Golden Knights must win Game 6 to force a deciding Game 7. Carolina holds a 3-2 series lead entering the Las Vegas trip.

Jack Eichel and the Golden Knights now face elimination in Game 6. Eichel admitted the Golden Knights needed to be better after Game 5. Vegas has shown scoring power across a high-scoring Stanley Cup Final. The Golden Knights must protect home ice in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Vegas leaned on Carter Hart and Pavel Dorofeyev throughout this high-scoring series. The Golden Knights have already won two games by 5-4 scores against Carolina. The Hurricanes will chase a clinching win in Las Vegas on Sunday night. Carolina needs one victory to lift its first Cup since 2006.