What to know about Golden Knights-Hurricanes Stanley Cup final

Nineteen players have registered a point for the Carolina Hurricanes during their nearly perfect playoff run. The Vegas Golden Knights have points from 22 players on their way to the Stanley Cup final.

Carolina has 12 different goal-scorers. Vegas has 15.

"They're deep, we're deep, so it'll be a good matchup," Golden Knights defenceman Brayden McNabb said.

A matchup so close on paper the Hurricanes are a very slight favourite. They've won 12 of 13 games through three rounds and have home-ice advantage.

But after NHL-best Colorado got swept by Vegas, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said he and his team "ran into a buzzsaw." The Western Conference final was one-sided with the Golden Knights dominating.

"They dismantled Colorado," player-turned-ESPN analyst Ray Ferraro said. "I don't know if there's ever such a thing as perfect, but whatever next door to perfect was, that's how they played in that series. It's what they are. This is their team, and they're healthy."

So are the Hurricanes, which could lead to an epic series.

Games 1 and 2 are Tuesday and Thursday night in Raleigh, where the fanbase full of Caniacs has been waiting years for the team's first trip to the final since 2006. Carolina won it all that year, with now-coach Rod Brind'Amour as captain.

Games 3 and 4 are Saturday night and June 9 at the arena on the Las Vegas Strip that has become known as the Fortress. The Golden Knights hoisted the Cup on home ice there three years ago.

If necessary, Game 5 is June 11 at Carolina and Game 6 is June 14 at Vegas. If a Game 7 is required, at Carolina, it would be June 17.

Every game will air in the U.S. on ABC and in Canada in English on CBC and Sportsnet and in French on TVA Sports.

With Vegas, Mitch