Carolina Hurricanes

Canes are heating up the Stanley Cup playoffs. Here are our favorite photos so far

Carolina Hurricanes fans welcome the team to the ice for Game 1 against Philadelphia on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
Carolina Hurricanes fans welcome the team to the ice for Game 1 against Philadelphia on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

Here’s a curated selection of photos from the Stanley Cup playoffs as captured through the lens of News & Observer photojournalists Robert Willett. This feature can be seen in Sunday’s newspaper, as well as in our online Edition. See it at eedition.newsobserver.com.

Stormy, the Carolina Hurricanes’ mascot, waves the team flag following the 3-0 victory in Game 1 over Philadelphia on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
Stormy, the Carolina Hurricanes’ mascot, waves the team flag following the 3-0 victory in Game 1 over Philadelphia on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Carolina Hurricanes fans line up against the glass during pre-game warm ups ahead of Game 1 against Philadelphia on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
Carolina Hurricanes fans line up against the glass during pre-game warm ups ahead of Game 1 against Philadelphia on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Carolina Hurricanes center Logan Stankoven (22) is recognized following the 3-0 victory over Philadelphia, after scoring two goals in Game 1 on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
Carolina Hurricanes center Logan Stankoven (22) is recognized following the 3-0 victory over Philadelphia, after scoring two goals in Game 1 on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Jackson Blake (53) celebrates with fans after defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in overtime, in Game 2 on Monday, May 4, 2026, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Jackson Blake (53) celebrates with fans after defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in overtime, in Game 2 on Monday, May 4, 2026, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Carolina Hurricanes center Seth Jarvis (24) celebrates with Jordan Staal (11) Sean Walker (26), and Nikolaj Ehlers (27) after scoring on Philadelphia goalie Dan Vladar (80) to tie the Flyers 2-2, in the third period on Monday, May 4, 2026, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
Carolina Hurricanes center Seth Jarvis (24) celebrates with Jordan Staal (11) Sean Walker (26), and Nikolaj Ehlers (27) after scoring on Philadelphia goalie Dan Vladar (80) to tie the Flyers 2-2, in the third period on Monday, May 4, 2026, during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 2:38 PM with the headline "Canes are heating up the Stanley Cup playoffs. Here are our favorite photos so far."

RW
Robert Willett
The News & Observer
Robert Willett is an award-winning photojournalist at The News & Observer.
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