The Carolina Hurricanes have lost one game in the Stanley Cup playoffs this season.And yet, they’re the underdogs in the eyes of the NHL community.As is my custom every year ahead of the Stanley Cup Final, I polled coaches and front office executives from across the NHL this weekend, asking them anonymously for their prediction of who will win between the Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights and why.Some only gave their prediction. Others got into the weeds on it, which I appreciate.Here’s what 49 of them had to say.(Note: Some responses are edited lightly for clarity.)Coach No. 1Vegas 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. 2Tough one again this year. Both teams are rolling. I feel like the difference in this series will be the power play, and because of that, I will take Vegas. Their top guys drawing penalties can be the difference if they get a lot of chances on the power play. Other than that, tough to call this one.Coach No. 3It should be a great final, with two very intense coaches, with teams peaking at the perfect time, and with both teams relatively healthy and rested enough to dress their best lineups.The three areas for me that really stick out going into this final series are defensive-zone coverage, forecheck and special teams.It should be a great final, as we have two of the better teams in the league at defending and both teams do it totally differently. Carolina plays a man-on-man system. They take away time and space all over the D-zone. Their defensemen will chase up to the blue line if needed. The Golden Knights play a center-release system, where their defensemen don’t travel above the tops of circles, and both defensemen stay anchored close to their net, and their center does most of the work.It will be interesting to see which system prevails, as lots of coaches have debated over which system works best over the years.The forecheck for both of these teams is what really has stood out to me so far in their earlier series and once again will be huge. Both teams’ forwards pressure real hard and are very physical while their defensemen are very active pinching deep, which results in extended zone time and wearing the opposition down.Special teams at this time of year are huge in trying to swing momentum within games. Again, both teams have a different mindset on how they play.Carolina’s penalty kill is extremely aggressive all over the ice. Vegas’ penalty kill will play more of a patient style, protecting the middle ice low and waiting to set pressure.Carolina’s power play will use two units, not favoring one over the other, with lots of movement. Vegas uses five forwards on their first unit that plays a more traditional 1-3-1 setup and that gets most of the ice time.This is a tough one to call, but I’m going to go with Vegas in six games. Having 12, 13 players and a coach that have won the Cup before will be huge.Coach No. 4I 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. 5It’s going to be a great series, and it is very hard for me to predict who will win. Both teams are so deep and playing so well. I will go with Vegas. Vegas’ high end is higher. That to me is the only differentiation.Coach No. 6Carolina has played so well that it’s hard to go against them, but I think Vegas will have pushback and can stress Carolina like no one has on this run. So if I have to pick, I lean Vegas in a long, hard-fought series.Coach No. 7Carolina in seven. Their speed, skill and relentless checking, which is similar with Vegas, may have the tiniest of an edge. Extra skill guys is on Carolina, which you can argue.Coach No. 8Carolina in six.Coach No. 9Carolina in six.Coach No. 10I 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. 11Great matchup that’s extremely tough to call. Both teams are playing at their highest level right now in so many areas: goaltending, special teams, defensively giving hardly anything up.I’m going to say Carolina in seven. So many successful seasons that have fallen short. That has fueled this year’s team and given them the experience to get over the hump and win the Cup.Coach No. 12My pick is Carolina in seven! Their relentless puck pressure, long and physical D, and offensive zone time advantage will eventually get them Lord Stanley.Coach No. 13Carolina in seven.Team speed and style will be too much for Vegas to handle. The only way Vegas wins, in my opinion, is if their power play goes off against the full-out pressure of the Canes’ penalty kill.I think the fact that Carolina is mostly rested — they can play fast for one more series!Coach No. 14For 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. 15I think Vegas will win. Carolina won’t be able to break down Vegas defensively.Coach No. 16Vegas if Hart can hold it together. I just think they are deeper at all positions.Coach No. 17Carolina in six. Speed, pace and willingness to get inside.Coach No. 18Definitely 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. 19Carolina. Seems like they’ve found another gear. More finishing ability to complement their distinctive style. Still vulnerable to the quick strike, but they can score in more ways.Coach No. 20Vegas. I think they are playing at the top of their game at the right time. They are checking well and getting great goaltending and special teams.Carolina is hard to play against. The play on top of you. They don’t give up a lot, but what they do give up are usually very high-quality chances. Vegas has the skill to finish on those quality looks. Vegas has the skill to use Carolina’s own aggression against them.Coach No. 21Carolina. It feels like it is their time. They have been good for so long, and now they have taken their game to a new level. Depth, goaltending, and guys like (K’Andre) Miller and (Taylor) Hall playing at new levels. (Frederik) Andersen is playing incredible. The entire team playing like they won’t be denied. The system and puck pressure they play with has always been so hard to play against, and now that system looks like it is operating at an even higher level.Again, it feels like it is their time.Coach No. 22I 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.Coach No. 23Vegas in seven.If Vegas can wear them down, get comfortable in the style of game, without falling too deep behind early in the series. Hart will need to be good early. Carolina is so good at home, especially in the first period. He will need to hold it down. Should be an interesting series. Different styles of play.Coach No. 24I think Vegas is going to win. I like the way they are playing, both structurally and physically. They have star power and really good depth. Hart is playing at a high level in goal, as well. Both are really good teams, but for me, Vegas has the edge.Coach No. 25Carolina. Both good teams, no weaknesses. I’m taking Carolina because they’ve been the most consistent team all season. And I love their penalty kill.Coach No. 26This one is really close to call. Should be a great series. Both teams are playing very well defensively. Their systems are different, but the results and the successes have been the same.Carolina is going to need the rest they have been able to have throughout the first three rounds because Vegas is gonna try to pound them. This is a completely different animal for Carolina than the Montreal Canadiens.Both goaltenders are playing very well. Carolina’s power play is going to have to step up. If not, they won’t win.I think just by law of averages and being close so many times and deep into the playoffs so many times, this is Carolina’s year. My brain gives Vegas the edge. My gut says Carolina. Hurricanes in six. Going to be a great final.Coach No. 27This is a tough call, only because both goalies are playing so well! Two well-balanced teams with scoring from the bottom half of their rosters, as well as their D corps. Could be the best-balanced teams in years.Carolina must be due (picking Carolina).Coach No. 28Tough call. I’ll pick Vegas because they have had tougher opponents. It’s a weak argument at best.Coach No. 29Carolina’s relentless forecheck versus versus the breakout ability of Vegas’ top-four defenseman. Carolina’s ability to generate offense versus Vegas’ patience and three or four game-breakers. Two goaltenders with something to prove.Carolina in seven.Team exec No. 1I believe it’s Carolina’s year. They’ve been built with patience in a very deliberate and calculated way. They’ve had their scars over the years and learned from that. They’ve stayed healthy and have looked very comfortable playing their game with great consistency.Team exec No. 2My pick is Vegas in six. Vegas has been battle-tested through adversity in the regular season and took out two rising teams in Utah and Anaheim, which led them to a domination of the Stanley Cup favorites in the conference final. Hart is playing well, they are scoring timely goals and just have that overall look of a champion. Carolina’s path here hasn’t seen much turmoil, and the opponents aren’t close to the caliber Vegas met in the West. Should be a really good series, but I can’t see Vegas losing.Team exec No. 3Vegas in seven. They have a veteran team that has won before, the Torts bump is still in play and their path has been a little harder. Some suggest that an easy path leaves a lot in the tank, while others feel it hardens the group. I think the latter in this case.Team exec No. 4For me, it’s Vegas. Carolina are a force, but their style does actually surrender odd man rushes, etc.Vegas builds fences, as we know, and is very seasoned at playing on the yellow, checking and waiting for their looks.Team exec No. 5I will take Carolina. They seem to be a team of destiny and have shown no signs that they can be stopped. I love the fact that they didn’t make any real changes at the trade deadline and have stuck with their team all the way to the final. Goes to show you that spending all those assets doesn’t necessarily get you ahead. They are the definition of a team, through and through. Rod will hoist the Cup in Carolina once again!Team exec No. 6Carolina. They have taken a page from the Florida Panthers and mastered the high flip from the D zone to the middle of the neutral zone.Team exec No. 7Tough call. I’m going to pick Carolina. I think they have more offensive ability this year. Experienced goalie. And they can still play their tight checking game.Team exec No. 8Vegas, for me. Their top guys get the recipe on how to play to win.Team exec No. 9Vegas in seven. Game breakers.Team exec No. 10Two incredibly talented, well-constructed, deep rosters that play with a high degree of pace. Two incredible coaches who are among the best at motivating their teams. Two goaltenders who have both faced adversity yet are on incredible runs. This one is a “pick ’em” for me.In the end, it comes down to goaltending, and I believe Hart will outduel Andersen.Vegas in seven.Team exec No. 11Vegas in seven. Carolina has been excellent so far. Great structure in all three zones, especially the defensive zone, tight checking, and Andersen has been very good in goal. They have depth and have done a good job dictating pace in most of their games. If Carter Hart can maintain his level of play, I think Vegas, while they may not match Carolina’s pace, can match Carolina’s depth, and I see one of the key differences being Vegas’ offense.Add to that Vegas’ winning pedigree and the Tortorella factor as the other important difference makers, Torts has really changed the identity of the team in short order, and I see a close series but Golden Knights in seven.Team exec No. 12I’m going with Vegas.Vegas will smother them, like Florida did to them before.Team exec No. 13I like Vegas for many reasons. First, they are heavy in bottom of the lineup. They have equal scoring in all three top lines. And their goalie is getting better and better.Team exec No. 14I think Carolina goes in as the favorite based on how they’ve plowed through the playoffs thus far. They appear to be playing their pressure game to a tee with great effect. Their forward depth with (Nikolaj) Ehlers playing down the lineup has been a huge strength.But I’m taking Vegas. They’ve been equally impressive, with the added proven ability thus far to adapt their game to counter their opponents’ strengths. If you’re picking Vegas, I think you’re banking on their stars outplaying Carolina’s top guys, and Hart at least sawing off the goalie battle. Vegas should have enough mobility and puck-moving on the back end to play through the Carolina forecheck, and they have guys who can finish when opportunity arises up front. I’ll go Vegas in seven.Team exec No. 15I don’t have a strong feeling either way. Could see this going seven — maybe even OT in seven. Going to go with the Hurricanes.Team exec No. 16Vegas in six. Torts has gotten buy-in, and they just play a detailed and hard game. Their structure and depth may be able to slow down Carolina.Team exec No. 17I’m taking Vegas in six. They have faced a ton of adversity up to this point. Injuries to top players, underachieving throughout the season and changing coaches. They are deep and are on a roll, plus Hart looks like the real deal.Carolina has cruised through these playoffs unmatched. They haven’t faced a team like Vegas yet, while Vegas just swept the best team in the league (for the entire year).My two cents.Team exec No. 18To me, it’s a coin flip. Both teams are playing at a high level and playing to their identity. Vegas has had a more challenging path to the final and might be more playoff-hardened at the moment. Vegas in six, given that much of the core has been there before.Team exec No. 19Interesting final. Two different styles. Speed versus size. Think it will be a great final. I do believe Vegas has the extra advantage with experience, and their goalie is playing well. Picking 4-3 Vegas.Team exec No. 20I’ll go with Carolina. They’re playing fast and getting contributions up and down the lineup.After Game 1 versus the Habs, after the long layoff, they found their game. The Habs couldn’t generate any offense at five-on-five. They took away time and space. Playing fast hockey. And, the penalty kill — love how they kill penalties. Aggressive, everyone on the same page. Great timing when to pressure. Quick to close gaps.I think it’s going to be a great series.Final tallySo, if you’re keeping score at home, that’s 27 picks for Vegas and 22 for Carolina. And the breakdown between coaches and team execs is interesting: It was 16-13 in favor of the Hurricanes among coaches and 14-6 in favor of the Golden Knights among executives. Read into that what you will.I think the comment from Team Exec No. 17 sticks with me the most, that he can’t get past the Golden Knights just sweeping what most of us believed was the best team in the NHL all season in Colorado. It’s really hard to overlook that.And yet, what has Carolina done to deserve not being the team most people are picking here? They’ve been an absolute wagon in the playoffs. They’re the first team to reach the Stanley Cup Final with fewer than two losses since the NHL went to all best-of-seven series in 1987. I mean, come on.And yet, Vegas is 19-4-1 since Tortorella took over behind the bench. I think a lot of our voters here are simply banking on that recent history with their Golden Knights pick.I loved this point from Coach No. 1: “To counter Carolina’s pressure, you have to win one-on-one confrontations, particularly on the walls. Vegas is built for that.”For sure, Vegas is a different beast than the Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers or Montreal Canadiens.I also loved the breakdown from Coach No. 3. Talk about thorough. And his point about how interesting it will be to see these two contrasting systems play out.Coach No. 18, who picked the Canes, made this important point: “With Carolina being a shot-volume team, can Vegas’ D core box out well enough in front of Hart?”More than anything, it was apparent that many coaches and execs struggled to pick a winner. There’s an overwhelming sense of how close this matchup appears to be.This smells like seven games all the way. As Team Exec No. 15 suggests, maybe Game 7 overtime? Wouldn’t that be something?