India, May 31 -- The stage is set for the 2026 Stanley Cup Final as the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights prepare to battle for hockey's ultimate prize. Carolina earned home-ice advantage after finishing the regular season with 113 points and will host Games 1 and 2 in Raleigh, along with Games 5 and 7 if the series goes the distance. The Hurricanes have looked dominant throughout the playoffs and return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since their championship-winning run in 2006.

Standing in their way are the Vegas Golden Knights, a franchise that has quickly become familiar with deep postseason runs. Vegas finished the regular season with 95 points and will host Games 3 and 4, as well as a potential Game 6. The G...