What happened: Jordan Staal hoisted the Stanley Cup for the second time in his career as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 on Sunday night. The veteran captain was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, leading the franchise to its first championship in 20 years.
Why it matters: At 37, Jordan Staal became the oldest player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, cementing his legacy 17 years after his first title with Pittsburgh. His defensive dominance was a primary factor in the victory, as he held Vegas stars scoreless while winning 69% of his faceoffs in the final series.
By the numbers: 2026 Stanley Cup Final: 6 Goals, 1 Assist, 7 Points; 69.0% Faceoff Win Rate; 5-game goal scoring streak (Games 1-5).
What to watch: The Hurricanes will celebrate their second franchise title with a championship parade through downtown Raleigh later this week.