The 2025–26 Carolina Hurricanes season was the 47th season (46th season of play) for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established in June 1979, and the 28th season since the franchise relocated from the Hartford Whalers to start the 1997–98 season. The Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, ending a 20-year Stanley Cup championship drought.
On April 2, 2026, the Hurricanes clinched their eighth consecutive playoff spot after a 5–1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Five days later, on April 7, Carolina won its fourth division title in six seasons, and on April 13, clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference.
In the playoffs, the Hurricanes became the first team since the 1984–85 Edmonton Oilers and the first since the four-round, seven-game format was implemented in 1987 to start the playoffs 8–0, sweeping the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers, before defeating the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference final in five games, and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006, where they defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in six games to win their second Stanley Cup in franchise history. Out of a possible 28 games (if every series required seven games to decide a winner), Carolina only took 19 games to win the Stanley Cup, finishing the playoffs with a record of 16–3, the fewest losses by a champion since the 1987–88 Oilers. The Hurricanes also became the first team from the Metropolitan Division to reach the Stanley Cup Final since the 2017–18 Washington Capitals.
Standings
Divisional standings
Conference standings
Schedule and results
Preseason The Carolina Hurricanes preseason schedule was released on June 24, 2025.
| 1 || September 22 || Tampa Bay || 1–2 || || Primeau || Lenovo Center || 13,925 || 0–1–0 ||
| 2 || September 24 || Florida || 2–4 || || Miftakhov || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 0–2–0 ||
| 3 || September 26 || @ Tampa Bay || 5–6 || || Miftakhov || Benchmark International Arena || 13,449 || 0–3–0 ||
| 4 || September 28 || Nashville || 4–2 || || Primeau || Lenovo Center || 14,211 || 1–3–0 ||
| 5 || September 29 || @ Florida || 3–4 || OT || Quapp || Amerant Bank Arena || 15,895 || 1–3–1 ||
| 6 || October 4 || @ Nashville || 2–3 || OT || Kochetkov || Bridgestone Arena || 17,724 || 1–3–2 ||
Regular season The Carolina Hurricanes regular season schedule was released on July 16, 2025.
| 1 || October 9 || New Jersey || 6–3 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,404 || 1–0–0 || 2 ||
| 2 || October 11 || Philadelphia || 4–3 || OT || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,357 || 2–0–0 || 4 ||
| 3 || October 14 || @ San Jose || 5–1 || || Bussi || SAP Center || 12,786 || 3–0–0 || 6 ||
| 4 || October 16 || @ Anaheim || 4–1 || || Andersen || Honda Center || 16,145 || 4–0–0 || 8 ||
| 5 || October 18 || @ Los Angeles || 4–3 || OT || Bussi || Crypto.com Arena || 18,145 || 5–0–0 || 10 ||
| 6 || October 20 || @ Vegas || 1–4 || || Andersen || T-Mobile Arena || 17,682 || 5–1–0 || 10 ||
| 7 || October 23 || @ Colorado || 5–4 || SO || Andersen || Ball Arena || 18,092 || 6–1–0 || 12 ||
| 8 || October 25 || @ Dallas || 2–3 || || Bussi || American Airlines Center || 18,532 || 6–2–0 || 12 ||
| 9 || October 28 || Vegas || 3–6 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 6–3–0 || 12 ||
| 10 || October 30 || NY Islanders || 6–2 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 7–3–0 || 14 ||
| 11 || November 1 || @ Boston || 1–2 || || Andersen || TD Garden || 17,850 || 7–4–0 || 14 ||
| 12 || November 4 || @ NY Rangers || 3–0 || || Kochetkov || Madison Square Garden || 17,147 || 8–4–0 || 16 ||
| 13 || November 6 || Minnesota || 4–3 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 9–4–0 || 18 ||
| 14 || November 8 || Buffalo || 6–3 || || Kochetkov || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 10–4–0 || 20 ||
| 15 || November 9 || @ Toronto || 5–4 || || Bussi || Scotiabank Arena || 18,395 || 11–4–0 || 22 ||
| 16 || November 11 || Washington || 1–4 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 11–5–0 || 22 ||
| 17 || November 14 || Vancouver || 4–3 || OT || Kochetkov || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 12–5–0 || 24 ||
| 18 || November 15 || Edmonton || 3–4 || OT || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 12–5–1 || 25 ||
| 19 || November 17 || @ Boston || 3–1 || || Kochetkov || TD Garden || 17,850 || 13–5–1 || 27 ||
| 20 || November 19 || @ Minnesota || 3–4 || SO || Andersen || Grand Casino Arena || 16,087 || 13–5–2 || 28 ||
| 21 || November 21 || @ Winnipeg || 4–3 || || Bussi || Canada Life Centre || 15,225 || 14–5–2 || 30 ||
| 22 || November 23 || @ Buffalo || 1–4 || || Andersen || KeyBank Center || 18,027 || 14–6–2 || 30 ||
| 23 || November 26 || NY Rangers || 2–4 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 14–7–2 || 30 ||
| 24 || November 28 || Winnipeg || 5–1 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,312 || 15–7–2 || 32 ||
| 25 || November 30 || Calgary || 1–0 || OT || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 16–7–2 || 34 ||
| 26 || December 4 || Toronto || 1–5 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 16–8–2 || 34 ||
| 27 || December 6 || Nashville || 6–3 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 17–8–2 || 36 ||
| 28 || December 7 || San Jose || 1–4 || || Kochetkov || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 17–9–2 || 36 ||
| 29 || December 9 || Columbus || 4–1 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 18–9–2 || 38 ||
| 30 || December 11 || @ Washington || 3–2 || SO || Bussi || Capital One Arena || 18,185 || 19–9–2 || 40 ||
| 31 || December 13 || @ Philadelphia || 4–3 || SO || Kochetkov || Xfinity Mobile Arena || 17,726 || 20–9–2 || 42 ||
| 32 || December 14 || Philadelphia || 3–2 || SO || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,125 || 21–9–2 || 44 ||
| 33 || December 17 || @ Nashville || 4–1 || || Kochetkov || Bridgestone Arena || 17,159 || 22–9–2 || 46 ||
| 34 || December 19 || @ Florida || 3–4 || SO || Bussi || Amerant Bank Arena || 19,217 || 22–9–3 || 47 ||
| 35 || December 20 || @ Tampa Bay || 4–6 || || Kochetkov || Benchmark International Arena || 19,092 || 22–10–3 || 47 ||
| 36 || December 23 || Florida || 2–5 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,318 || 22–11–3 || 47 ||
| 37 || December 27 || Detroit || 5–2 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,321 || 23–11–3 || 49 ||
| 38 || December 29 || NY Rangers || 3–2 || OT || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,309 || 24–11–3 || 51 ||
| 39 || December 30 || @ Pittsburgh || 1–5 || || Andersen || PPG Paints Arena || 16,011 || 24–12–3 || 51 ||
| 40 || January 1 || Montreal || 7–5 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 24–13–3 || 51 ||
| 41 || January 3 || Colorado || 3–5 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,351 || 24–14–3 || 51 ||
| 42 || January 4 || @ New Jersey || 3–1 || || Bussi || Prudential Center || 16,092 || 25–14–3 || 53 ||
| 43 || January 6 || Dallas || 6–3 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 26–14–3 || 55 ||
| 44 || January 8 || Anaheim || 5–2 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 27–14–3 || 57 ||
| 45 || January 10 || Seattle || 3–2 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,310 || 28–14–3 || 59 ||
| 46 || January 12 || @ Detroit || 3–4 || OT || Andersen || Little Caesars Arena || 19,515 || 28–14–4 || 60 ||
| 47 || January 13 || @ St. Louis || 0–3 || || Bussi || Enterprise Center || 18,096 || 28–15–4 || 60 ||
| 48 || January 16 || Florida || 9–1 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,319 || 29–15–4 || 62 ||
| 49 || January 17 || @ New Jersey || 4–1 || || Andersen || Prudential Center || 16,514 || 30–15–4 || 64 ||
| 50 || January 19 || Buffalo || 2–1 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,321 || 31–15–4 || 66 ||
| 51 || January 22 || Chicago || 3–4 || SO || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,323 || 31–15–5 || 67 ||
| 52 || January 24 || @ Ottawa || 4–1 || || Bussi || Canadian Tire Centre || 17,155 || 32–15–5 || 69 ||
| 53 || January 29 || Utah || 5–4 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,302 || 33–15–5 || 71 ||
| 54 || January 31 || @ Washington || 3–4 || OT || Andersen || Capital One Arena || 18,347 || 33–15–6 || 72 ||
| 55 || February 1 || Los Angeles || 3–2 || OT || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 34–15–6 || 74 ||
| 56 || February 3 || Ottawa || 4–3 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,299 || 35–15–6 || 76 ||
| 57 || February 5 || @ NY Rangers || 2–0 || || Bussi || Madison Square Garden || 17,288 || 36–15–6 || 78 ||
| 58 || February 26 || Tampa Bay || 5–4 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,565 || 37–15–6 || 80 ||
| 59 || February 28 || Detroit || 5–2 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,571 || 38–15–6 || 82 ||
| 60 || March 2 || @ Seattle || 1–2 || || Andersen || Climate Pledge Arena || 17,151 || 38–16–6 || 82 ||
| 61 || March 4 || @ Vancouver || 6–4 || || Bussi || Rogers Arena || 18,004 || 39–16–6 || 84 ||
| 62 || March 6 || @ Edmonton || 6–3 || || Andersen || Rogers Place || 18,347 || 40–16–6 || 86 ||
| 63 || March 7 || @ Calgary || 4–5 || || Bussi || Scotiabank Saddledome || 18,302 || 40–17–6 || 86 ||
| 64 || March 10 || Pittsburgh || 5–4 || SO || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,569 || 41–17–6 || 88 ||
| 65 || March 12 || St. Louis || 3–1 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,562 || 41–18–6 || 88 ||
| 66 || March 14 || @ Tampa Bay || 4–2 || || Andersen || Benchmark International Arena || 19,092 || 42–18–6 || 90 ||
| 67 || March 17 || @ Columbus || 1–5 || || Bussi || Nationwide Arena || 16,156 || 42–19–6 || 90 ||
| 68 || March 18 || Pittsburgh || 6–5 || OT || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,581 || 43–19–6 || 92 ||
| 69 || March 20 || @ Toronto || 4–3 || OT || Bussi || Scotiabank Arena || 18,329 || 44–19–6 || 94 ||
| 70 || March 22 || @ Pittsburgh || 5–1 || || Andersen || PPG Paints Arena || 18,048 || 45–19–6 || 96 ||
| 71 || March 24 || @ Montreal || 2–5 || || Andersen || Bell Centre || 20,962 || 45–20–6 || 96 ||
| 72 || March 28 || New Jersey || 5–2 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,579 || 46–20–6 || 98 ||
| 73 || March 29 || Montreal || 1–3 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,551 || 46–21–6 || 98 ||
| 74 || March 31 || @ Columbus || 5–2 || || Bussi || Nationwide Arena || 18,293 || 47–21–6 || 100 ||
| 75 || April 2 || Columbus || 5–1 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,556 || 48–21–6 || 102 ||
| 76 || April 4 || NY Islanders || 4–3 || || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,567 || 49–21–6 || 104 ||
| 77 || April 5 || @ Ottawa || 3–6 || || Andersen || Canadian Tire Centre || 16,857 || 49–22–6 || 104 ||
| 78 || April 7 || Boston || 6–5 || OT || Bussi || Lenovo Center || 18,571 || 50–22–6 || 106 ||
| 79 || April 9 || @ Chicago || 7–2 || || Andersen || United Center || 18,039 || 51–22–6 || 108 ||
| 80 || April 11 || @ Utah || 4–1 || || Andersen || Delta Center || 12,478 || 52–22–6 || 110 ||
| 81 || April 13 || @ Philadelphia || 2–3 || SO || Bussi || Xfinity Mobile Arena || 19,795 || 52–22–7 || 111 ||
| 82 || April 14 || @ NY Islanders || 2–1 || || Bussi || UBS Arena || 15,231 || 53–22–7 || 113 ||
Playoffs
| 1 || April 18 || Ottawa || 2–0 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,588 || 1–0 ||
| 2 || April 20 || Ottawa || 3–2 || 2OT || Andersen || Lenovo Center|| 18,591 || 2–0 ||
| 3 || April 23 || @ Ottawa || 2–1 || || Andersen || Canadian Tire Centre || 18,753 || 3–0 ||
| 4 || April 25 || @ Ottawa || 4–2 || || Andersen || Canadian Tire Centre || 18,793 || 4–0 ||
| 1 || May 2 || Philadelphia || 3–0 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,620 || 1–0 ||
| 2 || May 4 || Philadelphia || 3–2 || OT || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,647 || 2–0 ||
| 3 || May 7 || @ Philadelphia || 4–1 || || Andersen || Xfinity Mobile Arena|| 19,970 || 3–0 ||
| 4 || May 9 || @ Philadelphia || 3–2 || OT || Andersen || Xfinity Mobile Arena || 19,394 || 4–0 ||
| 1 || May 21 || Montreal || 2–6 || || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,723 || 0–1 ||
| 2 || May 23 || Montreal || 3–2 || OT || Andersen || Lenovo Center || 18,819 || 1–1 ||
| 3 || May 25 || @ Montreal || 3–2 || OT || Andersen || Bell Centre || 20,962 || 2–1 ||