Hurricanes fans – Rod Brind’Amour says Carolina’s Stanley Cup Final trip feels personal for fans in Raleigh after the Hurricanes beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-1 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final, completing a 20-year drought-break and setting up a showdown with the Vega
When the puck finally settled after Carolina’s 6-1 blowout of the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Friday night, the feeling in Raleigh wasn’t just celebration—it was recognition.
Rod Brind’Amour framed it that way when he spoke about what the trip means for the City of Raleigh. “It’s special because they’ve grinded it out with us,” the Hurricanes head coach said. He pointed to the nightly loyalty from the stands—“Night in. night out. supporting us. loud. enthusiastic”—and the way a “small market” team can still create something that feels deeply shared. “It is a community feel,” Brind’Amour added. “We’re in it with them, and you kind of get that sense. I’m happy for them that they have a team like we are that they can be proud of.”.
This isn’t just another postseason run for Carolina. The Hurricanes secured their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 20 years. and Brind’Amour made it clear he thinks the reward is tied to the relationship between the team and its fans. “That’s what we are – we’re their team,” he said. “And I think they can be proud of the way we play.”.
The road to this moment has been years in the making. Under Brind’Amour in his eight seasons as coach. Carolina reached the Eastern Conference Final four times—starting in 2019—but had previously fallen short of reaching the Stanley Cup Final. Before Brind’Amour took over in 2018, the Hurricanes missed the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons. Since then, they have qualified every year and won at least one playoff series each season.
Game 5 didn’t just finish the series—it completed the turnaround. Carolina dropped Game 1 6-2 after an 11-day layoff. then responded by winning four straight. outscoring the Canadiens 16-5 during that stretch and 10-1 over the final two games. By the time the season’s big stage opened, the Hurricanes had improved to 12-1 in the playoffs.
They also joined a rare club in how fast they got here. Carolina became the first team since the NHL adopted a best-of-seven format in all four rounds in 1986-87 to reach the Stanley Cup Final in 13 games or fewer with only one loss.
On the ice in Game 5, Carolina’s attack had a clear rhythm. Taylor Hall and Logan Stankoven led the way with one goal and two assists each. Hall opened the scoring and now has 16 points—five goals and 11 assists—in 13 playoff games, including an NHL-leading 14 even-strength points. Stankoven added a first-period goal and now has a playoff-leading ninth.
Jackson Blake and Seth Jarvis also contributed, each recording a goal and an assist. Shayne Gostisbehere and Eric Robinson scored as well, turning the game into a steady climb rather than a fight for survival.
Between the posts, Frederik Andersen delivered the kind of performance that lets a team press forward with confidence. Andersen stopped 23 of 24 shots for his 12th postseason win. He has allowed more than two goals only once in 13 playoff appearances.
The Hurricanes will now face the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday night in Raleigh.
The numbers say Carolina belongs at this level. Brind’Amour’s point is that Raleigh’s belief didn’t arrive all at once. It formed night after night—through the grinding stretches. the repeated trips that ended just short. and finally the win that pulled the franchise back into the spotlight after two decades away.
Carolina Hurricanes Montreal Canadiens Eastern Conference Final Stanley Cup Final Rod Brind'Amour Taylor Hall Logan Stankoven Frederik Andersen Vegas Golden Knights NHL playoffs