2025-26 Stanley Cup Final series picks
The 2025-26 Stanley Cup playoffs have been unique in that they’ve yielded a surprising number of mismatches. In the Western Conference Final, the Vegas Golden Knights pulled off a shocking sweep of the Colorado Avalanche, while the Carolina Hurricanes steamrolled the Montreal Canadiens.
Will we finally see a pair of juggernauts, who have combined for a 24-5 record this postseason, meet their match in each other? The Hurricanes and Golden Knights are set for what should be an epically close clash in theory.
How will the final series play out? It’s time to make our Round 3 predictions for Daily Faceoff.
Our panel:
Matt Larkin, DFO managing editor & senior writer
Steven Ellis, DFO associate editor & prospect analyst
Scott Maxwell, DFO editor & writer
Jason Gregor, co-host of The DFO Rundown podcast
Tyler Yaremchuk, host & senior producer of The Nation Network
Anthony Di Marco, DFO contributing writer
Paul Pidutti, founder of Adjusted Hockey & DFO feature writer
Jonny Lazarus, DFO digital reporter & co-host of Morning Cuppa Hockey
Mike Gould, Writer for DFO and Flames Nation
Anthony Trudeau, DFO columnist
Stanley Cup Final picks
| Name | Record | Carolina vs. Vegas |
| Matt Larkin | 8-6 | Vegas in 7 |
| Steven Ellis | 8-6 | Vegas in 6 |
| Scott Maxwell | 8-6 | Carolina in 6 |
| Jason Gregor | 8-6 | Carolina in 6 |
| Tyler Yaremchuk | 5-9 | Vegas in 6 |
| Anthony Di Marco | 8-6 | Vegas in 6 |
| Paul Pidutti | 9-5 | Carolina in 6 |
| Jonny Lazarus | 9-5 | Carolina in 6 |
| Mike Gould | 9-5 | Vegas in 6 |
| Anthony Trudeau | 10-4 | Vegas in 6 |
| CONSENSUS | Vegas |
After a second consecutive year in which the Conference Final matchups delivered a 4-0 and 4-1 result, the near-split in the panel suggests we (hopefully) will finally get to see a competitive matchup to finish off the postseason. The Canes and Golden Knights are built quite similarly; they have motivator head coaches in Rod Brind’Amour and John Tortorella, they’re riding surprisingly hot goaltenders in Frederik Andersen and Carter Hart, and they’re elite 5-on-5 play driving teams. In the end, the panel tilts slightly toward Vegas. Why? For one, the Golden Knights nuked the Presidents’ Trophy winning Avalanche in a sweep, no small feat. The Golden Knights also have the superior high-end star power from the likes of Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner and (if healthy) Mark Stone.
It should be a back-and-forth series, with every voter expecting six games or more, but the slight majority expects Vegas to hoist its second Cup.
_____
POST SPONSORED BY bet365
_____