Hurricanes' playoff journey highlights

The Carolina Hurricanes have made a remarkable playoff run, going 12-1 through three rounds, culminating in a 6-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. According to The Hockey News, the team overcame a setback in Game 1, where they lost 6-2, but bounced back to win four consecutive games, showcasing their resilience and strategic prowess.

Key performances included Taylor Hall scoring first in Game 5, followed by goals from Logan Stankoven, Eric Robinson, Jackson Blake, and Shayne Gostisbehere, which led to the decisive win. The Hurricanes' defensive strategy was pivotal, limiting the Canadiens to just five goals across the last four games, with an average of 16.8 shots.

Coach Rod Brind'Amour, a captain during the Hurricanes' last Cup final appearance in 2006, instilled a superstition in the team's culture by not allowing captain Jordan Staal to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy, a move that reflects both tradition and belief in their journey to the Stanley Cup final against the Vegas Golden Knights.

This marks the Hurricanes' first Cup final appearance in 20 years, and they are the first team since 1987 to reach the final with fewer than two losses in the playoffs, as noted by The Hockey News.