The Stanley Cup Final could start in Raleigh as soon as June 2 if the Carolina Hurricanes knock off the Montreal Canadiens in Friday night’s Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final.
If the Hurricanes and Canadiens need Game 6 or 7 to decide their best-of-seven series, the Stanley Cup Final would begin on June 4. The NHL released the schedule Thursday.
Carolina leads Montreal 3-1 after a dominant 4-0 road victory in Game 4.
The Vegas Golden Knights won the Western Conference and await the winner of the Hurricanes-Canadiens series. The winner of the Eastern Conference Final will have home-ice advantage in the final. Games 1, 2, 5 and 7, if necessary, would be in Raleigh if the Hurricanes advance.
The Hurricanes last reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2006 when they defeated Edmonton for the championship.
2026 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE
(IF ECF IS DECIDED IN 5 GAMES)
Game 1: Tuesday, June 2, 8 p.m. Vegas at Carolina
Game 2: Thursday, June 4, 8 p.m. Vegas at Carolina
Game 3: Saturday, June 6, 8 p.m. Carolina at Vegas
Game 4: Tuesday, June 9, 8 p.m. Carolina at Vegas
Game 5*: Thursday, June 11, 8 p.m. Vegas at Carolina
Game 6*: Sunday, June 14, 8 p.m. Carolina at Vegas
Game 7*: Wednesday, June 17 8 p.m. Vegas at Carolina
2026 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE
(IF ECF IS DECIDED IN 6 OR 7 GAMES)
Game 1: Thursday, June 4, 8 p.m. Vegas at Carolina/Montreal
Game 2: Saturday, June 6, 8 p.m. Vegas at Carolina/Montreal
Game 3: Tuesday, June 9, 8 p.m. Carolina/Montreal at Vegas
Game 4: Thursday, June 11, 8 p.m. Carolina/Montreal at Vegas
Game 5*: Sunday, June 14, 8 p.m. Vegas at Carolina/Montreal
Game 6*: Wednesday, June 17, 8 p.m. Carolina/Montreal at Vegas
Game 7*: Saturday, June 20, 8 p.m. Vegas at Carolina/Montreal