Carolina Hurricanes win the first Stanley Cup since 2006. (Image via: Getty Images)The Carolina Hurricanes have captured their second Stanley Cup title, after a 20-year championship drought, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final on Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena. In the series, the Hurricanes won 4-2, and in the postseason, also by posting a dominant 16-3 run. The Hurricanes went to the finals three times between 2019 and 2025 and advanced to the Eastern Conference final. The Hurricanes' strong defense led them to win the finals. As per reports, Carolina held Vegas to just five total goals across Games 4 and 5, then completed the shutout in Game 6. What stood out was goalie Brandon Bussi, who made only his 43rd NHL appearance, finishing the Final with 81 saves on 87 shots despite going two months between starts. Besides, Jackson Blake had a goal and assist, and Taylor Hall scored just 3:47 into the game to set the tone. Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-netter. Carolina Hurricanes win their first Stanley Cup since 2006, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights by 3-0 in Game 6 The Carolina Hurricanes have captured their second Stanley Cup title after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final on Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena. The victory completed a dominant 16-3 postseason run for the Hurricanes, who won the final three games of the series to clinch their first championship since 2006. Carolina held Vegas to five total goals across Games 4 and 5 before completing the shutout in Game 6 to win the series 4-2. Interesting, the Hurricanes won the much-coveted Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes, under the guidance of Rod Brind'Amour, who captained the team to its 2006 victory.As per reports, the Golden Knights struggled badly with their offense in Game 6 and went 18:37 between shots on goal in the second and third periods. However, it's not their first time playing the Stanley Cup Finals, but they are in their third Cup final, and this is the first time they have been shut out. On the win, coach Rod Brind’Amour stated, “I know what works,” he said. “I know we didn’t win, and we haven’t won yet, and all that. I get it. And that’s our goal, of course. But I know what doesn’t work. I know if we play a different way, we’re not going to be even knocking on the door.” He added, “We knew what we had here. I did, for sure, and the guys believed in it.” Meanwhile, on the other hand, "I am very proud to be a part of this organization, very proud to lead this team, very proud to play with every single guy that steps into our locker room," Vegas captain Mark Stone said. "This feeling sucks. I never want to have it again,” he added further.Fans at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh and throughout downtown Carolina are rejoicing at the win, and they are celebrating what Brind'Amour called "the realest, fullest sense" of being a champion.