Carolina is one win away from the Stanley Cup after taking a 3-2 lead in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, with the Hurricanes finally getting the offensive lift they had been waiting for from their power play and top forwards Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov.

For local hockey fans following the series in Chattanooga, the result matters because Game 6 now becomes a potential title-clincher. According to NHL schedule and Final coverage pages, the series began June 2 and Carolina now holds the edge with the championship in sight.

What changed for Carolina in Game 5

The key development was the production Carolina had lacked for much of the postseason. The Hurricanes had spent the playoffs waiting for their power play to produce consistently, while also looking for more from Aho and Svechnikov, two of the club's most important attacking players.

That changed in Game 5, where Carolina found the scoring touch that helped it move ahead in the series. The breakthrough was significant because special teams and top-line production often decide tight playoff games, especially this late in the Stanley Cup Final.

Carolina's long-awaited power-play spark and offense from Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov helped put the Hurricanes ahead 3-2 in the Final.

Why the 3-2 lead matters now

In a best-of-seven series, a 3-2 advantage leaves Carolina needing one more win to secure the title. It also shifts the pressure onto Vegas, which must win Game 6 to force a deciding Game 7.

For readers tracking the NHL postseason, the immediate consequence is simple:

  • Carolina can win the Stanley Cup in the next game.
  • Vegas must respond to extend the series.
  • Special teams and star-player form are now central storylines going into Game 6.

NHL.com's Stanley Cup Final schedule and results page lists the game-by-game progression of the series, while NHL Media's live updates and Final information guide track lineup, scoring and statistical trends.

Aho and Svechnikov back at the center of the series

Aho and Svechnikov are central to Carolina's attack, and their form is closely watched because both are expected to drive scoring at even strength and on the power play. When they produce, Carolina's offense becomes harder to contain.

NHL team statistics and player tracking pages identify both forwards as major contributors across the 2025-26 season and playoffs. Their Game 5 impact was a timely sign for a team trying to finish the series before it returns to a winner-take-all scenario.

What to watch in Game 6

  • Whether Carolina's power play can stay effective.
  • Whether Aho and Svechnikov can repeat their Game 5 influence.
  • How Vegas responds with its season on the line.

Readers can review how this newsroom handles sourcing and verification on our Source Transparency page and broader standards on our Editorial Policy page.

Reported by Source Text Link, NHL.com, NHL Media, Olympics.com, NHL.com / NHL Stats API, Carolina Hurricanes / NHL.com, Chattanooga Times Free Press.