What happened: The Carolina Hurricanes secured the 2026 Stanley Cup with a 3-0 victory in Game 6, clinching the series 4-2. Captain Jordan Staal was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs.
Why it matters: The championship marks Carolina's first title since 2006 and the second in Staal's leadership was the focal point of the run, as he tied an NHL record with a five-game goal streak during the Final while anchoring the team's defensive structure.
By the numbers: At 37 years old, Jordan Staal is the oldest player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. He led the Stanley Cup Final with 13 high-danger shots and recorded a dominant 69.0% faceoff win rate throughout the championship series.
What to watch: The city of Raleigh will host a victory celebration later this week to honor the newly crowned champions.