![Hurricanes Reach First Stanley Cup Final in 18 Years After Sweeping Canadiens]](https://i3.wp.com/deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/332ef476-9d7f-4f32-8278-6807150ac600.jpeg?ssl=1 "Hurricanes Reach First Stanley Cup Final in 18 Years After Sweeping Canadiens]")
Hurricanes Reach First Stanley Cup Final in 18 Years After Sweeping Canadiens]
The Carolina Hurricanes completed a five-game sweep of the Montreal Canadiens on Friday, claiming the Eastern Conference title and advancing to the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 2006. Despite losing Game 1, Carolina won four consecutive games to secure their third straight series victory.
The Hurricanes dispatched both the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers in the first two rounds before limiting Montreal to just five goals across Games 2-5. With a 12-1 record in the playoffs, Carolina will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the Cup final.
Coach Rod Brind’Amour, who captained Carolina during their 2006 Cup run, ensured his players avoided the Prince of Wales Trophy after that series. Following his lead, current captain Jordan Staal also refrained from touching the trophy, continuing a superstition that dates back to 2002 when Ron Francis allegedly broke the curse by handling the trophy and subsequently losing to Detroit in the Cup final.
Neither team advancing to this year’s final touched their conference championship trophies. Vegas also avoided the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after sweeping Colorado.
The Carolina Hurricanes Are Back In The Stanley Cup Final
Dominating the Canadiens in a lopsided five-game surge, Carolina clinches its first title berth since 2006. The red-hot Canes now host Vegas to battle for hockey’s ultimate prize.
Superstition abounds regarding trophy protocols. The last three Stanley Cup champions avoided contact with conference trophies, while the three preceding them did not.
Rest, Not Rust For Hurricanes
Carolina’s 11-day break between series sparked debate about rest versus fatigue. Historically, only three teams have had comparable rest before the Cup final—the 1919 Canadiens (whose final was cancelled due to pandemic) and two others that lost in the next round. Carolina became the first team to win their following series after such a lengthy break.
The Hurricanes faced early adversity in Game 1, falling 6-2, but regrouped to allow just five goals over the next four games. They’ll have only three days of rest before Game 1 against Vegas on Tuesday.
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