2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Stanley Cup Final Game 5: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Series tied 2-2
How to watch
Start time: 8:00 PM EDT / 5:00 PM PDT
In Canada: CBC, Sportsnet (English) TVA Sports (French)
In the U.S.: ABC
Streaming: Sportsnet+
A patented fast start in the opening period by the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 was answered by a strong second frame from the Vegas Golden Knights, leaving a tight series in a 3-3 tie heading into the third period. In the final 20 minutes, Jordan Staal managed to send the puck fluttering just over the glove of a diving Carter Hart, and the veteran’s fifth goal of the Stanley Cup Final stood as the game-winner. The two teams have made the trip back to Raleigh with two wins apiece, set to begin what is now a best-of-three series for the Stanley Cup.
Goals have been surprisingly easy to come by for both teams, with an empty-netter pipping the Hurricanes ahead in that department 17-16 through four games. The depth of the forward groups is proving stronger than the defence and goaltending, and it’s a matter of which team has the hotter hand on a given night.
We’ll see what’s in store for Game 5, whether that high-scoring trend continues or the magnitude of the situation has everyone playing more conservatively to not make as many mistakes. No matter how it plays out, it will probably be another close battle between the two teams.
Carolina Hurricanes projected lineup
| Left Wing |
Centre |
Right Wing |
| #37 Andrei Svechnikov |
#20 Sebastian Aho |
#48 Jordan Martinook |
| #71 Taylor Hall |
#22 Logan Stankoven |
#53 Jackson Blake |
| #27 Nikolaj Ehlers |
#11 Jordan Staal |
#24 Seth Jarvis |
| #28 William Carrier |
#77 Mark Jankowski |
#50 Eric Robinson |
| Left Defence |
Right Defence |
| #74 Jaccob Slavin |
#5 Jalen Chatfield |
| #19 K’Andre Miller |
#26 Sean Walker |
| #4 Shayne Gostisbehere |
#21 Alexander Nikishin |
| Starter |
Backup |
| #32 Brandon Bussi |
#52 Pyotr Kochetkov |
Vegas Golden Knights projected lineup
| Left Wing |
Centre |
Right Wing |
| #49 Ivan Barbashev |
#9 Jack Eichel |
#61 Mark Stone |
| #21 Brett Howden |
#71 William Karlsson |
#93 Mitch Marner |
| #48 Tomas Hertl |
#10 Colton Sissons |
#16 Pavel Dorofeyev |
| #22 Cole Smith |
#26 Nic Dowd |
#55 Keegan Kolesar |
| Left Defence |
Right Defence |
| #3 Brayden McNabb |
#27 Shea Theodore |
| #15 Noah Hanifin |
#4 Rasmus Andersson |
| #5 Jeremy Lauzon |
#52 Dylan Coghlan |
| Starter |
Backup |
| #79 Carter Hart |
#33 Adin Hill |
