🏒 Stanley Cup Final Prediction & Odds: Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights Best Bets

The NHL's best two teams will go at it for the better part of the next two weeks, and I think it's safe to say that the Stanley Cup Final will be notably more competitive than the conference finals.  

This Stanley Cup prediction features the odds and the Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights best bets. The Hurricanes are the -145 betting favorite to end their 20-year Cup drought, and I've focused on various angles, providing as much versatility as Mitch Marner. Let the games begin. 

🔢 Stanley Cup odds 2026

Our Stanley Cup odds update in real time. See the NHL odds for the best odds on each game.

👑 Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights Best Bets 

See all of our experts' NHL picks. 

Carter Hart 20+ saves every game (+110)

Carter Hart made at least 20 saves in each of the four games against the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference final, which I cashed in on. I'm even more confident of it happening against the league's most prolific shooting team. 

The Hurricanes averaged 33.7 shots per game through the first three rounds, and Hart is playing at the peak of his power. 

Series spread: Golden Knights +1.5 (-153)

These teams have combined for a 23-3 record in their previous 26 games, so I expect an extremely competitive Stanley Cup Final, unlike the conference finals. 

I made the case for Vegas in my piece about why the Golden Knights will win the Cup, while Liam Fox countered with why the Hurricanes will win the Stanley Cup. Either way, this is going to be a doozy. 

Stanley Cup handoff: Jaccob Slavin (+370)

If the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup, I feel confident that Jordan Staal will hand it directly to Jaccob Slavin, who has been a loyal ambassador for Carolina. He has played all 11 seasons with the Hurricanes since entering the league in 2015. 

His rare loyalty will be rewarded. 

Hurricanes 2-1 after 3 games (+115)

The Hurricanes are the deepest, most well-rounded team in hockey, and they'll showcase it against the sizzling-hot Golden Knights.

I believe the Golden Knights will earn a split on the road, but the Hurricanes will again demonstrate why they're 6-0 in enemy environments when they play at T-Mobile Arena in Game 3.

Most goals: Brett Howden (+1200)

Nobody expected Brett Howden to be tied atop the lead for goals entering the Stanley Cup Final. But here we are, and I don't expect Howden's production to slow drastically. You can tell he's feeling it, which is evident by his 10 goals, three game-winners and 18.2 shooting percentage. 

I'm also drawn to the +1200 odds you can score at FanDuel, which is the best price of the best sports betting sites. 

Most points: Taylor Hall (+2200)

While Jack Eichel and Marner are the likely and most probable selections, I'm going with my prediction to win the Conn Smythe Trophy: Taylor Hall. 

Excluding Games 1 and 2 against the Montreal Canadiens, Hall and linemates Jackson Blake and Logan Stankoven have been dominant throughout the playoffs.

Despite not notching a point in Game 4 versus the Habs, he played superbly and had several chances to do so. Hall has 1.23 points per game through three rounds, second only to Marner's 1.31.