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The Carolina Hurricanes won the NHL’s Stanley Cup for the first time in 20 years after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 on Sunday in Las Vegas.
The Hurricanes wrapped up the best-of-seven series with a game to spare with a 4-2 win to secure their second crown.
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who lifted the Stanley Cup as Carolina’s captain in 2006, led the Hurricanes to the playoffs as the top seed in the Eastern Conference and lost just three games to the Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens and Golden Knights.
“I think it was just our time. We were not going to be denied,” said Brind’Amour.
“It’s different, because as a player, I really wanted it for myself. Now, sitting back watching (the bench), I really wanted it for these guys because there’s no hard-working team. It’s just like a proud father watching his kids go to work.”
Taylor Hall opened the scoring for the Hurricanes after just three minutes and 47 seconds, with Jackson Blake doubling their lead midway through the second period.
Nikolaj Ehlers wrapped up the win with 68 seconds left on the clock, scoring on an empty net after Golden Knights netminder Carter Hart was pulled for an extra skater in the final three minutes as they looked to claw their way back into the match.
Hurricanes rookie goaltender Brandon Busey made 22 saves in his first career playoff shutout.
Two-time Stanley Cup champion Carolina captain Jordan Staal became the oldest player to win the Conn Smyth Trophy as the playoffs’ most valuable player after winning with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009. The 37-year-old registered eight goals and four assists in the Hurricanes’ Championship campaign.
“It’s something that I’ve been following since I won the first one. You want to win it over and over again,” said Staal, whose 17-year streak is among the longest in NHL history.
“It was a grind. I wanted to win so bad.”
