Hurricanes and Knights set for Stanley Cup Final opener on ABC
The Carolina Hurricanes host the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1, with the full seven-game slate airing on ABC at 8 p.m. local time.
The 2026 Stanley Cup Final commences on June 2, 2026, as the Carolina Hurricanes host the Vegas Golden Knights for Game 1. The opening match is scheduled for 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on ABC. The series follows a standard home-ice advantage format, with Carolina hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while Vegas hosts Games 3, 4, and 6.
The full broadcast schedule for the potential seven-game series has been confirmed, with all games airing on ABC at 8 p.m. Subsequent games are set for June 4, 6, 9, 11, 14, and 17. Game 2 will be held in Carolina, followed by Games 3 and 4 in Vegas. If the series extends, Game 5 returns to Carolina, Game 6 moves back to Vegas, and a decisive Game 7 is scheduled for June 17 in Carolina.
The Stanley Cup Final is the championship series of the National Hockey League (NHL). Historical context for the sport includes records for the most goals in a single playoff game. The Edmonton Oilers hold the single-team record with 13 goals against the Los Angeles Kings in 1987. The highest combined score of 18 goals occurred in a 1982 game between the Kings and Oilers.
More recently, the Colorado Avalanche’s 9-6 victory over the Minnesota Wild on May 3, 2026, resulted in 15 combined goals. This total ties for the third-highest in NHL playoff history, matching a feat last achieved by the Flames and Oilers in 2022. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers also recorded a 17-goal combined total in 1989.
This report is based on information originally published by Yahoo Sports, which appeared on Asbury Park Press. The source material presents the 2026 Stanley Cup Final as a current event, with broadcast rights stated as ABC.
