Stanley Cup Final Takeaways
Photo by Brian Babineau
Despite the difference in records, it turned out to be a great Stanley Cup Final, and the champion came down to one coaching staff who made a decision, and one who didn’t.
Here is what we learned.
Hurricanes defeat Golden Knights 4-2
Carolina Hurricanes
Do you remember a couple of months ago when I did my playoff preview post?
I said a reason why the Carolina Hurricanes won’t win the Stanley Cup is if their goaltending lets them down.
They play such a stifling level of 5v5 hockey that they prevent shots getting through, and it’s incredible effective, but when shots do get through, it spells trouble.
That’s exactly what happened to begin this series.
Vegas was able to get opportunities and quality chances, and Frederik Andersen couldn’t keep the puck out of the net, giving up 12 goals in 3 games.
After that, he was pulled for Brandon Bussi.
The Canes said it was for injury reasons. Reporters say he was a healthy scratch. I don’t know.
But what I do know, is that Brandon Bussi came in, and immediately slammed the door shut for Carolina, allowing only 5 goals in 3 games, including a series clinching shutout.
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour wasn’t afraid to make the call to the young rookie goaltender, and it made him a Stanley Cup Champion.
And in honor of Andersen’s work throughout the season, he was the first player captain Jordan Staal gave the Stanley Cup to.
A full team effort.
Vegas Golden Knights
On the other side of things, we had a team afraid to pull the trigger.
Carter Hart did not play for multiple years due to a sexual assault scandal that was being investigated.
He was acquitted (personal note: acquitted does not mean proven not guilty), and Vegas signed the goalie to help out their struggling goalie situation.
It didn’t work, as he struggled in the regular season, and even though he had some good games in the playoffs, he became the first goalie ever to allow 4 goals in 5 straight Stanley Cup Final games.
Vegas never made the switch, despite having Adin Hill, the goalie who won Vegas the Cup in 2023.
Vegas went all in with the hand that got them there.
It was just a bad hand.
And in the end, that’s the difference.
The Canes trusted their entire roster to help them win a Stanley Cup, and Vegas didn’t.
Congratulations to the Carolina Hurricanes! A long overdue Stanley Cup win considering how good their roster and management has been.
And it doesn’t look like they’re going away any time soon.
