The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is set, with the Vegas Golden Knights facing the Carolina Hurricanes for hockey’s biggest prize.
The matchup gives us a fascinating contrast. Vegas brings championship experience, high-end talent, and enough star power to tilt a series quickly. Carolina brings structure, pressure, depth, and the kind of relentless five-on-five game that can make even elite teams uncomfortable over seven games.
At ATS, we are having some fun with the Stanley Cup Final by letting the team make their picks. Some of us are leaning into hockey analysis, some are trusting playoff experience, and a few may be going with gut feel. Either way, here are our staff picks for who wins the Stanley Cup, how long the series goes, and the biggest angle behind each prediction.
Stanley Cup Final Staff Picks
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes
| ATS Member | Pick | Best Angle |
|---|---|---|
 Henrik Norman | Hurricanes in 6 | Vegas has the star power, but Carolina has the deeper pressure game. Over a long series, that structure and depth should tilt the matchup. |
 Jay Sanin | Hurricanes in 7 | Carolina has a Corsi% of nearly 60% this postseason, which might somehow be understating how dominant they’ve been. Vegas will keep the series competitive, as they proved they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in their demolition of the Avalanche, but I’m going with the Canes to lift the Cup. |
 Peyton Powell | Hurricanes in 6 | Vegas has been red hot lately, coming off that 4-0 sweep of a 121-point Colorado team. But Carolina just feels like the more complete team overall. The Hurricanes are getting elite goaltending from Frederik Andersen and have been dominant on the road this postseason. Vegas won’t make it easy on them, but I think Carolina gets the job done and wins its first Stanley Cup since 2006. |
 Simon Cripps | Golden Knights in 6 | Vegas just swept the Avs to extend the Presidents’ Trophy Curse. What’s to stop them knocking off the Canes too? |
 Gus Anderson | Golden Knights in 6 | Expect a tight, physical series defined by goaltending and special teams. Vegas’s experience in big moments gives them a slight edge, but Carolina’s system makes them a nightmare to put away. |
 Jacob Davour | Golden Knights in 7 | Two complete teams that’s going head to head in this final. It could go in any direction, but the cup is going to Las Vegas this year. Their dangerous powerplay will seal the deal against the Hurricanes. |
