Story by
Jaccob Slavin pinpoints why Hurricanes are back in Stanley Cup Final
- Story by
- Jaccob Slavin pinpoints why Hurricanes are back in Stanley Cup Final
Jaccob Slavin pinpoints why Hurricanes are back in Stanley Cup Final appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Carolina Hurricanes fell short in four Eastern Conference Final appearances after winning the Stanley Cup in 2006 — but they're finally back in hockey's ultimate series .
Advertisement
The Canes dominated the Montreal Canadiens , just as they did the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers , winning the East Final in five games and returning to the final round for the first time in two decades.
Jaccob Slavin , who has been terrific throughout the 2026 postseason, explained why the club has finally been able to get over the hump in 2025-26.
"Over the last eight years, it's been building and building. We've been close and knocking at the door. I think we finally just have the right personnel, the right commitment, the right buy-in," the American told reporters, per NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin.
"Because our game really hasn't changed over the last eight years, right? It's just been that same commitment and getting those extra pieces that just make us that much better.
Advertisement
"I think you're seeing something in playoffs this year that we probably haven't had in any of the other previous years of just consistency through all sorts of the game, through goaltending, through special teams, through 5-on-5 play, just you have that consistency this year, and I think that's been probably the biggest difference in my eyes."
Carolina has been remarkably consistent all year long. The franchise captured the Eastern Conference regular-season title for the first time in team history after winning 53 games.
They then proceeded to win eight straight contests to begin the playoffs, sweeping the Senators and Flyers in the first two rounds, respectively.
After nearly two weeks off, Carolina was blitzed by Montreal in Game 1 of the East Final. But the Hurricanes responded by winning four straight games, outscoring the Canadiens 16-5 in that span.
Advertisement
"I think what we talked about within that locker room is always just consistency is part of our culture that we have here," Slavin added. "And so, we've always wanted to hammer in on that consistency. I think it's just the execution of it this year is probably the biggest difference."
The Hurricanes now have one final challenge: a Stanley Cup Final matchup against a Vegas Golden Knights club making its third appearance on hockey's biggest stage since entering the league in 2017-18.
Related: Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis opens up on Stanley Cup Final dream he's had since age 7
Related: Taylor Hall gets real on 'special' time with Hurricanes ahead of Stanley Cup Final
