#NHLPeachy @NHL #NHLStats Pack: 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap

#NHLStats presents one last look back at the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 10 themes that defined the 108th postseason in League history.

1. The Hurricanes Clinched Cup with Historic Surge: The Hurricanes surged through the first three rounds with the best record by a team entering a Final under the best-of-seven format and stormed back in a championship series for the ages to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history, five days short of the 20-year anniversary of the club’s first title.

#NHLStats Pack: Hurricanes Win Stanley Cup 20 Years After First

2. Hurricanes-Golden Knights Met in Historic Stanley Cup Final: It began with Vegas staging the first multi-goal comeback win by a road team to start a Final (Game 1) and followed with an equal rally by the host Hurricanes (Game 2) – the first Final to start with a multi-goal comeback win for each team within the first two contests. Game 3 had a series of historic moments: Mitch Marner with the fastest hat trick in Final history and the first four-point period by an NHL player in the Final, the Hurricanes with the fastest three goals by a team in the Final and the first-ever third-period four-goal rally in Final history, and then Vegas with its first overtime win in a Stanley Cup Final. A fourth game followed in which a multi-goal lead was erased (Game 4) – a first in Final history – before eventual Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jordan Staal tied a Final record for longest goal streak in the next contest (Game 5). The series culminated with Brandon Bussi becoming the second undrafted goaltender to post a Cup-clinching shutout (Game 6).

3. Staal Claims Cup 17 Years Later, Conn Smythe in 20th Season: Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal was named the 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, capping a postseason in which he tied the NHL record for longest goal streak in a Stanley Cup Final (5 GP) and became the first player in 70 years to score in each of the first five games of the Final. Staal (8-4—12 in 19 GP) collected more than half of his playoff point total during the Final, posting 6-1—7 (6 GP) to set a franchise record for goals in any series and equal the League benchmark for goals by a player age 37 or older in a single Final. Staal, the longest-tenured player in team history, posted the highest face-off percentage on record in the Final (68.0%) and at age 37 became the oldest Conn Smythe Trophy winner. It was the first individual award of his 20-season NHL career, tied for the longest wait in NHL history for a player to win his first individual award (Doug Weight: 2010-11 King Clancy Trophy).

Jordan Staal Selected as 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy Winner

4. Late-Game Drama Among Top Trends in 2026: There were 34 tying or go-ahead goals scored in the last 10 minutes of regulation throughout the playoffs, tied with 2022 for the second most ever behind 2017 (37). Among those were 19 tying goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation, also the second most ever behind 1993 (22). Both exclude the 2020 postseason (46 combined and 26 GTG, but only 31 and 18 from R1 onward). Carolina and Vegas combined for four tying goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation, the most ever in the Final, and six tying or go-ahead goals in the last 10 minutes of regulation, tied with 2013 for the most ever in the championship round.

5. Close Games and Comebacks Carried Through: 87% of games in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs were “close games,” the second highest in NHL history behind 2024 (89%) – including five in the Final which matched the second-highest total in any championship series (6 in 2024, 2019 & 2010). Carolina and Vegas were tied or separated by a one-goal margin for 73% of playing time, the highest rate in the Final since 2021 (74%; TBL def. MTL in 5 GP). That followed a trend established in the First Round when 89% of games were “close games,” an all-time high for an opening round (1-goal margin of victory or 2+ with at least 1 empty-net goal). Overall, 44% of games in these playoffs were comeback wins – including half in the Final – which marks the second-highest rate over the past 16 postseasons (45% in 2024).

6. Working Overtime in Nearly Every Series: For the fifth time in NHL history, overtime was required in at least 14 of 15 series (also 2013, 2014, 2021 & 2023; excluding 2020 when more series were played) - the lone exception being the Golden Knights’ sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy winners. Overall, 22 games required overtime and the eventual Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes won six of them, all in a row to become the fourth team in NHL history to post an overtime winning streak of at least that length in a single postseason.

7. Road Success to the End: Carolina became the 45th team to clinch the Stanley Cup on the road (excluding the 2020 Lightning in the “bubble”) and first since Colorado won in Tampa in 2022. That capped a postseason in which road teams combined for 43 wins, four shy of the record for a single postseason.

8. Many Records Fell as Top Scorers Produced: Many clubs have new playoff records thanks to 2026 performances by the likes of Kirill Kaprizov, Beckett Sennecke, Rasmus Dahlin, Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, Taylor Hall and the Golden Knights duo of Mitch Marner and Brett Howden. Marner became the fourth player in the NHL’s modern era (since 1944) to lead the playoffs in scoring during his first season with a franchise.

9. 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Audiences Delivered: Through Game 5 in the U.S., the 2026 Stanley Cup Final was averaging 5.1 million viewers, up 104% from 2005, and was the most-watched Stanley Cup Final in the U.S. since 2013.

10. New Faces Announced Themselves in 2026: Without the two-time reigning champions and with a playoff turnover of six teams – the second-highest total in NHL history – the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs produced a new-look playoff bracket. Four clubs advanced to the Second Round to end a wait of at least five seasons without a series win – the most ever in a single postseason – and youth was served as the four youngest playoff rosters (MTL, BUF, PHI & ANA) all won at least one series. Montreal would eventually become the youngest NHL team in 33 years to advance to the Conference Finals/Semifinals. Overall, 92 players made their Stanley Cup Playoffs debut in 2026, the third most in a single postseason behind 106 in 1980 and 100 in 2006 (excludes 2020 when 121 players debut across the extended playoff format, including 102 during the SCQ and RR). The 2026 total included two in the Final, highlighted by the 3-1 run from Brandon Bussi to secure Carolina’s first championship in 20 years.

#NHLStats Resources:

· First Round Recap

· Second Round Recap

· Conference Finals Recap

· Jordan Staal Selected as 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy Winner

· NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Champions Edition – June 15, 2026

· #NHLStats Pack: Hurricanes Win Stanley Cup 20 Years After First

· All #NHLStats Packs from 2025-26

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#NewYorkNotes @RecordingAcad FIVE NEW CATEGORIES AND RULE UPDATES TAKE EFFECT FOR 2027 GRAMMYS®

CHANGES REFLECT ANNUAL MEMBER-DRIVEN PROCESS AND TODAY’S GROWING MUSIC ECOSYSTEM

As part of the Grammys’ annual process of accepting proposals from the music creators and professionals who make up its membership body, and its ongoing commitment to reflecting today’s dynamic musical landscape, new Categories and rule changes are now in effect for the 69th Grammy Awards®, which culminate with the 2027 Grammys® live across ABC, Disney+ and Hulu on Feb. 7, 2027. The complete Grammys rulebook can be accessed here.

“2027 is going to be an amazing year for the Grammy Awards, and one that reflects the extraordinary growth we’re seeing across music,” said Grammys CEO Harvey Mason jr. “The changes advanced by our Recording Academy members speak to the breadth of today’s music industry and the many genres, crafts and creators shaping it. We’re excited to see these updates come to life in the year ahead as we celebrate the music people who are driving music forward.”

For more insights from Grammys CEO, Harvey Mason jr., visit here.

NEW CATEGORIES

Best Asian Pop Music Performance

This Category recognizes artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages. Awards are presented to the performing artist(s).

Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance*

This Category recognizes excellence in contemporary R&B performances for works by established duos or groups, as well as collaborative works between solo artists, duos and groups. Awards are presented to the performing artist(s).

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance

This Category recognizes excellence in singles and tracks that consist of a type and style of song and/or performance that cannot properly be intermingled with present forms of pop music. Awards are presented to the performing artist(s).

Best Traditional Folk Album**

This Category recognizes excellence in albums of traditional folk recordings. Awards are presented to artist(s), producer(s), engineer(s)/mixer(s), and songwriter(s) of new songs, if other than artist(s), of greater than 50% playing time on the album.

Best Latin Song

This Category recognizes the achievement of songwriters for newly written Latin songs predominantly in the Spanish language (at least 51% of the lyrics). Awards are presented to the songwriter(s) of new material.

*With the addition of this new category, the Best R&B Performance Category has been revised and renamed Best R&B Solo Performance.

**With the addition of this new category, the Best Folk Album Category has been revised and renamed Best Contemporary Folk Album.

VOTING PROCESS UPDATES

Ballot Plus

Ballot Plus is an opt-in alternative to the 10/3 voting structure that allows Voting Members with expertise across multiple genres to vote in up to 15 peer-related Categories, regardless of Field, based on their verified professional credits and contributions.

Voting Members who opt in must submit credits by a specified deadline. Participation in Ballot Plus is subject to verification of credits. Voting Members who do not opt-in, miss the selection window, or do not meet the verification requirements will receive the standard 10/3 voting ballot. Voting Members will receive more information about Ballot Plus in the coming months.

DEFINITION, ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA UPDATES

Best New Artist

Category description language and guidelines have been refined and a maximum number of times an artist may be submitted increased from three to four. These updates provide greater clarity around an artist’s impact during the eligibility period and more flexibility in the number of times an artist can submit, reflecting the evolving nature of artist development.

Album Eligibility

The threshold of new recordings required on an eligible album is lowered from 75% to 66% to reduce the exclusion of entries that are widely recognized throughout the music industry as new albums.

Best Album Notes and Best Historical Album

Internet-only releases are eligible in Best Album Notes and Best Historical Album if the additional materials and album notes are part of the commercial download, ensuring albums released solely in digital form remain eligible for consideration.

Songwriters and Composers Recognition Expansion

Songwriters and Composers of new material on the winning albums in most genre album Categories will now receive Grammy statuettes and Achievement Certificates in parity with the recognition currently afforded to Producers and Engineers in those categories.

A comprehensive list of changes for the 69th Grammy Awards, including additional revised category descriptions and definitions, can be found on page six of the rulebook.

Key dates for the upcoming Grammy Awards season can be found here. To learn more about the annual Grammy Awards process, click here.

about the GRAMMYS

Music is a powerful force for good in the world. It heals. It unites. It moves us like nothing else. The people who create it deserve an organization dedicated to their well-being. That’s us. We exist to serve music, and all the people who make it. The Grammy organization is powered by 30,000 members, working songwriters, performers, producers, engineers and music professionals, and we serve music people by spearheading public policy efforts to protect their rights, opening pathways of opportunity for them while dismantling old barriers, providing direct assistance, recognizing musical excellence, and upholding a peer-based Awards process that endures as music’s highest honor. Our service positively impacts music creators everywhere, and results in a growing, thriving and more fair music industry.

The Grammy organization is made up of the Recording Academy®, The Latin Recording Academy®, MusiCares®, the Grammy Museum®, and the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation®. For more information about the Grammys, please visit Grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the Grammys’ social communities on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and X.

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#NewYorkNotes #FactoryFresh by #AnthonyFerrara #AnthonyFerraraSax #BigTonesBand @bigtonesband Released February 14, 2025 Earns Our Highest Recommendation

It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we know Saxophone Jazz Sensation Anthony Ferrara.

The third time's a charm!

Released on February 14, 2025, Factory Fresh is the culmination of talent and Ferrara's slow and steady progress towards true musical excellence, aging like a fine wine and it has earned our Highest Recommendation.

Previously, he earned high accolades for Early Spring and Cold Faded, his debut album and his second respectively, each highly recommended.  Allow us to reemphasize his talent is not only in his stellar performances of the saxophone but also in his intelligent compositions, showcased consistently throughout the three albums and representing the vast majority of the work.  

This is great music to fly to, fantastic music to drive to and it indicates movement and momentum.  If you have a store or a restaurant and we know we have a lot of you reading us, this is the classy kind of music that will set the standard for success in your business as it adds atmosphere and style without being negative in any way, shape or form.  We also love how the jacket inside tells you the story of the album with beaucoup de insight from the talent himself, adding tremendous value to the listening experience. Intelligent quotes by Anthony are included!

In sharp contrast to many of his generation who don't always appreciate the talents that have preceded them, Anthony additionally pays homage to the greats and celebrates their work.  Factory Fresh has two standards; Straighten Up and Fly Right is a Nat King Cole original as well as his first major radio hit: it's peppy, ambient and versatile. 

Casual Sprint is the second track, and it begins the hit parade of Ferrara's compositions.  Zippy and fun, it reminds us of a staircase with a terrific piano entry that rounds out the saxophone talent two minutes in.  Factory Fresh, the title track, is more soulful, evidencing the range of talent Ferrara possesses and absolutely nails.  Clean and Green graduates this level of depth in the following song with its maximum soulfulness without any ridiculous over-the-top segments that lesser acts may use as a gimmick.  When you pursue excellence, no gimmicks are needed.  There's also a satisfying background rumble to punctuate the sax success.

Missing Borders we found to be introspective, while Falling for Nothing was slower, thoughtful and reflective.  It made Peachy think of Rhapsody in Blue (Gershwin), a favorite of hers showcased in Disney's Fantasia 2000, because she associates that with a fast subway ride and this was about missing the train, a true New York experience we all have had!  When something is not right, stop, think and analyze.

To a Crisp reminded us of fall weather and it was a bit like Halloween; tuck this one away for then too!  Footprints was written by legendary saxophone player Wayne Shorter and it reminded us of literal footprints on the beach.  The euphoric The Kind of Love You Give seals the deal on this talent on the rise with a slow burn momentum that will thrill you.

Factory Fresh by Anthony Ferrara has earned our Highest Recommendation.

Factory Fresh: February 14, 2025

Straighten Up and Fly Right* (Nat King Cole)

Casual Sprint

Factory Fresh

Clean and Green

Missing Borders

Falling For Nothing

To A Crisp

Footprints* (Wayne Shorter)

The Kind of Love You Give

https://www.anthonyferrarasax.com/

https://x.com/bigtonesband

https://www.youtube.com/@bigtonesband

https://www.instagram.com/bigtonesband/

Since its inception in 2022, The Big Tones Band marks its style by covering a wide array of genres and decades that can bring any event to its highest level.

New Releases February 2025

Release date: February 14 – (Ships Feb. 5)

SCCD 31975 Anthony Ferrara “Factory Fresh”

7 16043 19752 1

Anthony Ferrara for his third album here teams up again with the dream rhythm section of Versace/Anderson/Drummond. Ron McClure who was one of Ferarra’s teachers at NYU once commented on this group, “This is a four-way conversation between four men who have a mutual respect of the process of making music, always cognitive of the group effort. Had they played the Manhattan phonebook, they would have made it work.”

“What is particularly impressive about Ferrara is that he not only has a mature, confident and appealing sound, but also is finding his own voice. Ferrara is also a capable composer, penning a diverse set of songs that invite repeated hearings, a huge challenge for any musician at the beginning of their career.” (Ken Dryden – NYCJR on SCCD 31938 Cold Faded)

ANTHONY FERRARA tenor saxophone GARY VERSACE piano

JAY ANDERSON bass

BILLY DRUMMOND drums

Recorded February 2024

1 STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT (Nat King Cole, Irving Mills) 8:00 2 CASUAL SPRINT (Anthony Ferrara) 7:05

3 FACTORY FRESH (Anthony Ferrara) 7:51

4 CLEAN AND GREEN (Anthony Ferrara) 8:10

5 MISSING BORDERS (Anthony Ferrara) 7:17

6 FALLING FOR NOTHING (Anthony Ferrara) 6:34

7 TO A CRISP (Anthony Ferrara) 5:12

8 FOOTPRINTS (Shorter, Wayne) 8:13

9 THE KIND OF LOVE YOU GIVE (Anthony Ferrara) 7:25

Total Playing Time 67:18

Audio sample:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9m4ox2lji28tl0jrivdt7/716043197521_01_001.mp3?rlkey=newq0f7w8js0nf9hwxpwc5dzo& st=evxdf243&dl=0

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#MovietimeInManhattan @WBD #ERASER WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 4K RESOLUTION WITH HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE (HDR) AVAILABLE ON 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAYTM AND DIGITAL ON JUNE 16, 2026

 

WHOM YOU KNOW IS ABSOLUTELY THRILLED TO celebrate the 30th anniversary of Eraser, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Vanessa Williams!

The film will be available for purchase TOMORROW Digitally in 4K Ultra HD and on 4K UHD Blu-ray Disc on June 16. 

Directed by Chuck Russell (“The Mask”, “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors”) the newly remastered film will also include new bonus content featuring Russell, Vanessa Williams, and Executive Producer Michael Tadross reflecting on the making of the film 30 years later.

Eraser will be available to purchase on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Fandango at Home and more.

https://wbd.com/

https://x.com/wbd

https://www.facebook.com/WBD

https://www.linkedin.com/company/warner-bros-discovery/

https://www.instagram.com/wbd

About the Film

U.S. marshal John Kruger (Arnold Schwarzenegger) “erases” the lives and identities of people entering the Witness Protection Program. When his latest charge (Vanessa Williams) uncovers

a deal to put a new superweapon in the wrong hands, it’s a do-or-die assignment. Kruger embarks on a high-octane action spree to protect her. As exciting as it is entertaining, Eraser is unstoppable.

Eraser Digital release and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc contain the following new special features:Reinventing the Modern Action Hero – The Evolution of Arnold (NEW)

Discover how the legendary actor’s career shifted from the muscle-forward characters of the 80s into a sleeker, more emotionally grounded, action identity.

‘90s Action Thriller Reimagined (NEW)

Dive deeper into the star power, early CGI, and technological innovations that defined the transition from the late-80s analog action into the emerging digital era to follow.

BASICS

Eraser

Ultra HD Blu-ray Languages: English, Spanish, French

Ultra HD Blu-ray Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French

Run Time: 115 minutes

Rating: R for violence and language

Digital Street Date: June 16, 2026

Physical Street Date: June 16, 2026

THE CREDITS

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment (WBHE) distributes the award-winning movies, television, animation, and digital content produced by Warner Bros. Discovery to the homes and screens of millions through physical Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD retail sales and digital transactions on major streaming, video-on-demand cable, satellite, digital, and mobile channels. WBHE is part of Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales, one of the world’s largest distributors of entertainment programming.

*Ultra HD showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors for a home entertainment viewing experience like never before.

For the complete 4K Ultra HD experience with HDR, a 4K Ultra HD TV with HDR, an Ultra HD Blu-ray player and a high-speed HDMI (category 2) cable are required.

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#NHLPeachy @NHL #NHLStats Pack: Hurricanes Win Stanley Cup 20 Years After First

The Carolina Hurricanes surged through the first three rounds with the best record by a team entering a Final under the best-of-seven format and stormed back in a championship series for the ages to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history, five days short of the 20-year anniversary of the club’s first title (June 19, 2006).

Wire-to-wire for the win

* Carolina occupied a playoff spot the entire season, sat in first place in the Metropolitan Division from Dec. 11 onward, clinched an eighth consecutive postseason berth and lost only one game against the Ottawa Senators (4-0), Philadelphia Flyers (4-0) and Montreal Canadiens (4-1) to reach the championship series where it secured a 4-2 victory versus the Vegas Golden Knights during a historic Stanley Cup Final.

Staal delivers MVP performance during historic Cup run

* Jordan Staal won the Conn Smythe Trophy after tying a Final record for longest goal streak and became the first player in NHL history to go 17 years from one Stanley Cup to the next. His brother, Eric, was the leading scorer on the 2006 Hurricanes’ Cup-winning team.

No. 1 pick Hall had long road to a title

* Taylor Hall won his first Stanley Cup after hearing his named called first overall in the 2010 NHL Draft and playing nearly 1,100 career games with seven franchises across 16 seasons. He had the second-most contests by a No. 1 pick before his first championship behind Alex Ovechkin, with both players clinching their title against the Golden Knights in Vegas.

Slavin ousted Golden Knights after golden night in Milan

* Jaccob Slavin became the second American to win the Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal in the same season and first since Ken Morrow of the “Miracle on Ice” team.

The Danes were great

* Frederik Andersen and Nikolaj Ehlers joined Lars Eller as the only Danish Stanley Cup winners in NHL history. All three won the Cup by defeating Vegas in the Final.

Brind'Amour coached, captained Carolina to Cups

* Rod Brind'Amour joined rare company by coaching the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup 20 years after captaining the club to their first championship.

Raleigh is a major hockey hotbed

* The Hurricanes have given their devoted fanbase of “Caniacs” plenty to cheer about since the franchise arrived in Raleigh nearly 30 years ago following 18 seasons as the Hartford Whalers.

Hurricanes stormed back from series deficits in Final after going 12-1

Carolina swept its First and Second Round matchups before weathering a roaring Bell Centre following a lengthy wait in a five-game win against Montreal and rallying from series deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 versus Vegas during the Final to win the Stanley Cup.

First Round: 4-0 Win vs. Ottawa Senators (WC2)

Second Round: 4-0 Win vs. Philadelphia Flyers (M3)

Eastern Conference Final: 4-1 Win vs. Montreal Canadiens (A3)

Stanley Cup Final: 4-2 Win vs. Vegas Golden Knights (P1)

* The Hurricanes’ sweep of the Senators made Carolina the third team in NHL history with a series win in eight straight playoff years, following Montreal (10 from 1984-93 & 1951-60) and Philadelphia (9 from 1973-81). The Hurricanes followed that up by becoming the fifth team in League history with an eight-game postseason-opening winning streak after the 1985 Oilers (9-0), 1969 Blues (8-0), 1960 Canadiens (8-0) and 1952 Red Wings (8-0).

* The Hurricanes went 8-1 as visitors during these playoffs to establish a single-postseason franchise record for road wins, besting the previous high set in 2002 (7-5 in 12 GP). They became the seventh team in NHL history with eight wins through nine road games in a playoff year after the 2012 Kings (9-0), 2023 Panthers (8-1), 2022 Avalanche (8-1), 1999 Avalanche (8-1), 1995 Devils (8-1) and 1980 Islanders (8-1). Of note, the 2020 Lightning went 8-1 through their first nine games as the road team in the neutral-site “bubbles” at Scotiabank Arena and Rogers Place.

* Carolina had a perfect 6-0 record through its first six overtime contests this postseason before suffering a 2OT defeat during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Hurricanes were the third team in League history with wins in each of their first six overtime contests during a playoff year after the 2023 Panthers and 2003 Mighty Ducks (both 7-0).

* Carolina contributed to a record-breaking Stanley Cup Final by following up its multi-goal comeback win in Game 2 with a 4-0 third-period rally including three tallies in a 39-second span before earning consecutive victories to vanquish Vegas. The Hurricanes had at least four goals in each of the first five contests during the championship series.

Staal secures SECOND Stanley Cup 17 years after his first championship

Jordan Staal captured the Conn Smythe Trophy and captained the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup 17 years after his first championship with the 2009 Penguins, which marked the most by a player from one title to the next in League history. He bested the previous high set by Chris Chelios (16 from 1986 MTL to 2002 DET).

* Staal (37 years, 277 days) became the oldest Stanley Cup-winning captain since Nicklas Lidstrom (38 years, 37 days in Game 6 of 2008 SCF). Lidstrom led the Red Wings past Staal and the Penguins in the 2008 Final before Staal helped Pittsburgh defeat Detroit during the 2009 championship series.

* Staal attended the 2006 Final as a 17-year-old top prospect for the NHL Draft before his brother, Eric, became the first in the family to hoist the Stanley Cup. They are the 17th set of siblings in League history to each win at least one championship with the same franchise and the fifth for a non-Original Six club after Rob and Scott Niedermayer (w/ ANA), Denis and Jean Potvin (w/ NYI), Brent and Duane Sutter (w/ NYI) as well as Jimmy and Joe Watson (w/ PHI).

* Staal became the oldest Conn Smythe Trophy winner and just the second to be named playoff MVP at age 37, following goaltender Tim Thomas with the 2011 Bruins (37 years, 61 days). The previous mark for oldest forward to win the Conn Smythe was set the first year it was presented: Jean Beliveau (33 years, 243 days) with the 1965 Canadiens.

Carolina Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal Selected as 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy Winner

Hall clinches first Stanley Cup after going FIRST overall in 2010

Taylor Hall had the championship-clinching goal to win his first Stanley Cup after being chosen by Edmonton with the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NHL Draft and playing 1,062 career games with seven different franchises across 16 seasons. He had the second-most contests by a No. 1 pick before his first Cup behind Alex Ovechkin, who also clinched his against the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena with the 2018 Capitals.

* Hall added a Stanley Cup to his decorated trophy case that includes winning the Hart Memorial Trophy with the 2017-18 Devils as well as two Memorial Cups at the junior level (2010 & 2009) and a pair of World Championship gold medals on the international stage (2016 & 2015). Hall and Mike Reilly became the sixth and seventh players in NHL history to win their first Cup after playing for at least seven franchises following Dmitry Kulikov (8; 2024 FLA), Curtis McElhinney (8; 2020 TBL), Luke Schenn (7; 2020 TBL), Jim McKenzie (7; 2003 NJD) and Carl Voss (7; 1938 CHI).

* Hall was linemates with Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake, with the trio combining for 25 goals and 55 points this postseason including 10-12—22 in four potential series-clinching games. Stankoven’s team-leading 11 tallies during these playoffs marked the club’s second highest single-postseason total behind Rod Brind’Amour (12 in 2006), while Blake became the third 20-point scorer in franchise playoff history after Eric Staal (28 in 2006) and Cory Stillman (26 in 2006).

Slavin, Jarvis win Stanley Cup together after jousting for gold medal

Jaccob Slavin and Seth Jarvis won the Stanley Cup together less than four months after Slavin helped Team USA defeat Jarvis and Team Canada in the gold medal contest at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Slavin became the second American (ninth from any country) to win the Cup and Olympic gold in the same season following Ken Morrow, who completed the feat with the 1980 Islanders after playing for the “Miracle on Ice” team.

* Jarvis became the sixth player to capture a Stanley Cup in the same season after earning a silver medal at an Olympics with NHL participation, following Patrick Kane (2010 CHI), Chris Chelios (2002 DET), Brett Hull (2002 DET), Sergei Fedorov (1998 DET) and Dmitri Mironov (1998 DET). Jarvis won the Cup in front of his traveling band of buddies known as the "Good Ol' Canadian Boys," who were on hand at the Final and Olympics.

Aho, Martinook and Svechnikov also capture Cup after lengthy tenure

Sebastian Aho (10 seasons since 2016-17), Jordan Martinook (8 seasons since 2018-19) and Andrei Svechnikov (8 seasons since 2018-19), the Hurricanes’ longest-tenured players after Jordan Staal (14 seasons since 2012-13) and Jaccob Slavin (11 seasons since 2015-16), won their first Stanley Cup after at least eight consecutive campaigns with the club.

* Carolina became the third Stanley Cup champions in NHL history with five or more players who each captured their first title with that club after a tenure of at least eight straight seasons. The Hurricanes joined the 2020 Lightning (Victor Hedman, Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn, Ondrej Palat & Steven Stamkos) and 2018 Capitals (Nicklas Backstrom, Jay Beagle, John Carlson, Braden Holtby & Alex Ovechkin).

* Aho, the franchise’s all-time playoff leader in every major scoring category, captured the Stanley Cup after winning a bronze medal with Team Finland at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. He became the fifth player with a Cup in the same season after winning bronze at an Olympics with NHL participation, following Frantisek Kaberle (2006 CAR) as well as Pavel Datsyuk, Sergei Fedorov and Igor Larionov (2002 DET). Kaberle had Carolina’s championship-clinching goal in Game 7 of the 2006 Final.

Great Danes Andersen, Ehlers win Stanley Cup together

Frederik Andersen and Nikolaj Ehlers became the second and third Danish Stanley Cup winners in NHL history after Lars Eller, who scored the championship-clinching goal against the Golden Knights with the 2018 Capitals. Andersen concluded the postseason with a 13-2 record through 16 appearances (1.89 GAA, .910 SV%, 3 SO).

* Andersen was chosen by Carolina with the No. 187 pick in the 2010 NHL Draft before re-entering and going to Anaheim with the 87th overall selection in 2012. He became the seventh Stanley Cup winner in League history that was selected twice after Jarret Stoll (2014 & 2012 LAK), Viacheslav Fetisov (1998 & 1997 DET), Nick Boynton (2010 CHI), Mike Zigomanis (2009 PIT), Mike Rupp (2003 NJD) and Scott Parker (2001 COL).

Brind'Amour put faith in Bussi midway through Stanley Cup Final

Brandon Bussi, whose patience and perseverance paved the path to his playoff debut in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, closed out the championship series with a shutout and a 3-1 record through four appearances (1.60 GAA, .931 SV%, 1 SO) to become the first goaltender since 1975 (when the Preliminary Round was introduced) with a title-clinching win after not appearing in any of the previous three rounds. Bussi was also the second netminder in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1968) and eighth in League history with a Cup clincher after not starting during Game 1 of the Final.

* Rod Brind'Amour’s starting goaltender change helped him become the fourth individual in NHL history to captain a Stanley Cup winner and then lead that club to another championship as head coach. He joined Toe Blake with the Canadiens (2 as captain, 8 as coach), Hap Day with the Maple Leafs (1 as captain, 5 as coach) and Cooney Weiland with the Bruins (1 as captain, 1 as coach).

* The Hurricanes became the first Stanley Cup-winning team in 41 years with multiple starting goaltenders during the Final and third in the expansion era after the 1984 Oilers (Grant Fuhr & Andy Moog) and 1972 Bruins (Gerry Cheevers & Eddie Johnston).

CARRIER’S SECOND CUP, GOSTISBEHERE’S FIRST AMONG OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

More highlights from Carolina’s run to its second Stanley Cup in franchise history:

* William Carrier won the second Stanley Cup of his career after capturing a championship at T-Mobile Arena with the 2023 Golden Knights. Carrier and Jordan Staal (2009 PIT) are the only previous winners on the Hurricanes’ championship roster.

* Shayne Gostisbehere led Hurricanes defensemen in goals (3), assists (9) and points (12) during these playoffs en route to winning his first Stanley Cup. His 12 points were one back of the single-postseason franchise record by a blueliner set by Frantisek Kaberle (13 in 2006).

* Gostisbehere (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) became the second Florida-born Stanley Cup winner in NHL history after Dan Hinote (2001 COL). Florida is one of eight U.S. states represented among the birthplaces for Hurricanes players that meet engraving criteria (also Jaccob Slavin: Colorado; Mike Reilly: Illinois; Jalen Chatfield: Michigan; K'Andre Miller: Minnesota; Jackson Blake; North Dakota; Eric Robinson: New Jersey; Brandon Bussi: New York), which bested the 2017 and 2016 Penguins (both w/ 7) for the most on a championship roster in NHL history.

* Pyotr Kochetkov dressed in each contest since Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final and met the criteria to have his named engraved on the trophy. The Hurricanes became the fourth Stanley Cup-winning team over the last 30 years with three goaltenders on their championship roster, following the 2023 Golden Knights (Laurent Brossoit, Adin Hill, Jonathan Quick & Logan Thompson), 2016 Penguins (Marc-Andre Fleury, Matt Murray & Jeff Zatkoff) and 1997 Red Wings (Kevin Hodson, Chris Osgood & Mike Vernon).

* Slavin’s brother, Josiah, is captain of the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and currently competing in the 2026 Calder Cup Finals. Notable sets of brothers with a Stanley Cup and AHL championship in the same season include Dick and Les Duff (1968, 1966 & 1965) as well as Frank and Peter Mahovlich (1967).

* The Hurricanes became the second franchise to win multiple Stanley Cups after relocating to a different metropolitan area in the 1990s or later after the Avalanche (2022, 2001 & 1996), who have three including one during their first season in Denver following 16 campaigns as the Quebec Nordiques. Carolina frequently honors its history by wearing Hartford Whalers jerseys, including in multiple games against Colorado where the Avalanche sport Nordiques sweaters.

* The NHL’s six championships by clubs who moved to a different metropolitan area in the 1990s or later (also 1999 DAL) are two more than the combined total from MLB, NBA and NFL. The list below excludes the two-time Super Bowl-winning Baltimore Ravens, whose formation involved absorbing Cleveland Browns players and personnel while being considered a new franchise.

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