NHL coaches give their Stanley Cup Final predictions

The wait is finally over.

After nearly two months of playoff hockey, the 2026 Stanley Cup Final begins tonight as the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights collide with hockey's ultimate prize hanging in the balance. It’s a matchup featuring two powerhouse organizations that arrived here in very different ways, but both look more than capable of lifting the Stanley Cup when all is said and done.

For the Hurricanes, this represents their first trip back to the Stanley Cup Final in two decades. Rod Brind'Amour's club has been nothing short of dominant throughout the postseason, rolling through the Eastern Conference with an incredible 12-1 record. Carolina's relentless forecheck, suffocating defensive structure, and unmatched depth have overwhelmed virtually every opponent they've faced. Frederik Andersen has provided steady goaltending while stars Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Andrei Svechnikov have delivered timely offense when needed.

Standing in their way is a Vegas team that looks every bit as dangerous as the group that captured the Stanley Cup three years ago. The Golden Knights stormed into the Final after sweeping the heavily favored Colorado Avalanche, showcasing their trademark combination of star power, depth, and playoff experience. Led by Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, and goaltender Carter Hart, Vegas possesses the kind of elite game-breakers capable of changing a series with a single shift.

The contrast in styles makes this matchup fascinating. Carolina thrives on pressure, pace, and depth. Vegas counters with elite skill, special teams, and a roster loaded with proven playoff performers. Something has to give.

Game 1 tonight feels like the beginning of what could be an instant classic. The Hurricanes have home-ice advantage, but the Golden Knights have already shown they can win anywhere and against anyone. By the time this series ends, one franchise will be celebrating another championship while the other will be left wondering what might have been.

The Stanley Cup Final is here, and if the road to this point is any indication, hockey fans are in for one incredible ride.

So... who's taking it down?

In a poll of 49 current NHL head coaches and assistant coaches conducted by Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, it seems that the odds are in Vegas' favor. The Golden Knights edged out the Hurricanes 27-22 in LeBrun's anonymous poll and the reasoning behind some of the picks are absolutely fascinating.

Read below for some excerpts from LeBrun's story, or click here to read the full version.

Coach No. 1

Vegas for two reasons. (William) Karlsson being back in the lineup gives Vegas game-changing center depth: (Jack) Eichel, (Tomas) Hertl, Karlsson.

To counter Carolina’s pressure, you have to win one-on-one confrontations, particularly on the walls. Vegas is built for that.

Coach No. 4

I think it’s Carolina in six. Just believe it’s time for Rod (Brind’Amour). He has had some nice long runs, but just seems like it’s their year. The way they can score off the rush as well as the forecheck is so relentless. I love what Torts (John Tortorella) has done — very structured and they have gotten better each series. But just think it’s Carolina’s year.

Coach No. 10

I like Vegas. I think they have more scoring and size. It’s going to come down to the goalies. I like (Carter) Hart more.

Coach No. 14

For me, it’s Vegas.

Why? They’re a veteran group that knows what it takes to win a Cup. As an organization, they’ve been through it all, and most of their players and coaches have experienced those deep playoff runs and know how to handle the pressure and certain situations.

Carolina is playing great hockey and has taken another step this year, but I still don’t think they’re quite there yet. Never really had to play a men’s game this playoffs.

Coach No. 18

Definitely going to go six or seven. Some keys for me are: Vegas’ breakout success rate versus Carolina’s forecheck. Carolina’s D will pinch both on the strong side and weak side hard. Wall battles will be a big part of the game for Vegas as they exit. Also, with Carolina being a shot-volume team, can Vegas’ D core box out well enough in front of Hart? For Vegas, the key is going to be to play behind them. Carolina will pressure two men in the neutral zone. As always, special teams will be a factor.

Two good teams. Whose best players will outperform the other? I think it’s Carolina’s time and they win.

Coach No. 22

I think it might be Carolina’s time. They’ve tried for nine years, and it looks like they are breaking through now. Their relentless pressure, work ethic and depth are tough to handle. But Vegas played against three fast teams so far, and they prevailed. So that’s why I think it’s a tough one.

Rod deserves it. That will be extremely interesting.