NHL Stanley Cup Final predictions: Surveying coaches and team execs on Golden Knights-Hurricanes

The New York Times surveyed 29 NHL coaches and 20 front office executives ahead of the Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights, with the series opening on Tuesday. Despite Carolina losing only one game throughout the entire playoffs, the panel considers the Hurricanes to be underdogs against Vegas. Respondents cited Vegas's center depth — featuring Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl, and the returning William Karlsson — as a key advantage, along with their ability to win one-on-one battles against Carolina's pressure system.