By Zane Miller

On Sunday, June 14th, 2026, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, to win the 112th Stanley Cup Finals four games to two. It was the second Stanley Cup championship for the Hurricanes franchise, and the third that was won in Nevada. These are the top five players that I felt most stood out during the series.

5. #27 Shea Theodore (Golden Knights)- D

Theodore claimed player of the game honors in game one, scoring the Golden Knights’ first goal of the series along with a pair of helpers as Vegas went on to win the opener 5-4.

4. #93 Mitch Marner (Golden Knights)- F

Marner dominated in game three to snag player of the game, getting the only hat trick of the Finals while adding an assist as well in the Golden Knights’ 5-4 double overtime victory.

3. #53 Jackson Blake (Hurricanes)- F

Blake took home player of the game in the decisive game six, picking up an assist on the opening goal before finding the back of the net in the second period with the Hurricanes clinching the title in the 3-0 victory.

2. #37 Andrei Svechnikov (Hurricanes)- F

Svechnikov earned the player of the game award in game five thanks to a two-goal performance, including the go-ahead tally in Carolina’s 4-2 triumph.

1. #11 Jordan Staal (Hurricanes)- F

Staal nabbed player of the game in games two and four, with game two seeing him provide Carolina with their first lead of the contest. In game four, the eventual Conn Smythe winner had a pair of goals, including one which broke a third period tie as the Hurricanes later nailed down the 5-3 win.

Players of the Game breakdown:

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