Hurricanes HC Rod Brind’Amour reveals what makes Stanley Cup trip special for fans

The Carolina Hurricanes secured their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 20 years with a convincing 6-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Friday night.

“It’s special because they’ve grinded it out with us,” Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour said discussing what the moment means for the City of Raleigh. “Night in, night out, supporting us, loud, enthusiastic, but like, they’re behind us. Playing (as) a ‘small market’ team, it is a community feel. We’re in it with them, and you kind of get that sense. I’m happy for them that they have a team like we are that they can be proud of, because that’s what we are – we’re their team, and I think they can be proud of the way we play.”

The victory completed a breakthrough postseason run that had been years in the making. Carolina reached the Eastern Conference Final four times during Brind’Amour’s eight seasons as coach, beginning in 2019, but had previously fallen short of reaching the Stanley Cup Final. Before Brind’Amour took over in 2018, the Hurricanes had missed the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons. Since then, they have qualified every year and won at least one playoff series each season.

After dropping Game 1 of the series 6-2 following an 11-day layoff, Carolina responded with four consecutive win, outscoring the Canadiens 16-5 during that stretch and 10-1 over the final two games. The Hurricanes improved to 12-1 in the playoffs and became the first team since the NHL adopted a best-of-seven format in all four rounds in 1986-87 to reach the Stanley Cup Final in 13 games or fewer with only one loss.

Taylor Hall and Logan Stankoven led the Game 5 attack with one goal and two assists each. Hall opened the scoring and now has 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 13 playoff games, including an NHL-leading 14 even-strength points. Stankoven’s first-period goal was his playoff-leading ninth. Jackson Blake and Seth Jarvis each recorded a goal and an assist, while Shayne Gostisbehere and Eric Robinson also scored.

Frederik Andersen stopped 23 of 24 shots for his 12th postseason win and has allowed more than two goals only once in 13 playoff appearances.

The Hurricanes will now face the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday night in Raleigh.

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