Hurricanes Take Swipe at Golden Knights HC John Tortorella After 2026 Stanley Cup Victory

John Tortorella and the Vegas Golden Knights suffered a 4-2 loss in the Stanley Cup Final following a 3-0 defeat in Game 6 on Sunday.

Hurricanes Take Swipe at Golden Knights HC John Tortorella After 2026 Stanley Cup Victory

John Tortorella (Image via ClutchPoints)

The Carolina Hurricanes are champions of the NHL once again. On Sunday, they took down the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to win their 2nd title. Following their victory, they took a wild swipe at Golden Knights’ head coach John Tortorella.

The 67-year-old was named as the head coach of the team on March 29, 2026. He would replace Bruce Cassidy at the helm after he was fired from his position.

In 8 regular season games, Tortorella guided the team to a 7-0-1 record and helped them win the Pacific Division title. After beating the Utah Mammoth 4-2 in the first round, they eliminated the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 in the second round.

It was the Western Conference Final (WCF) where the Golden Knights looked unstoppable. In the matchup against the Presidents’ Trophy winner, the Colorado Avalanche, the Vegas-based team dominated their opponents and swept them 4-0 to reach their third Stanley Cup Final.

In the Final against the Hurricanes, there were several goals and blown leads. After winning Game 3 in double overtime, the Golden Knights lost Games 4 and 5. Following the loss in Game 5, the team was on the brink of elimination.

However, Tortorella was confident about his team’s ability to bounce back. While speaking with the reporters after the game, he claimed that he left his clothes in the Raleigh hotel room. The veteran was confident that the team would force Game 7 and come back at the Lenovo Center.

I’m going to leave my clothes here. At the hotel. We’ll be back.

John Tortorella told the reporters

For this to happen, the Golden Knights needed to win Game 6. That did not happen as they got shutout 3-0 in front of their fans and lost the series 4-2.

After their defeat, the Hurricanes decided to have some fun. In a post on X, the team cheekily claimed that they will deliver his clothes back from the hotel, but it will take some time as they are “busy” right now.

We’ll send them to you. Might take a few days, though. A little busy.

Carolina Hurricanes on X

This is, however, not the first time John Tortorella has fallen short after making some big claims. In 2018, when he was coaching the Columbus Blue Jackets, he expressed that his team would be back for Game 7 against the Washington Capitals.

The Capitals went on to win 6-3 in Game 6 and later lifted the Stanley Cup. A year later, he made the same claim during the Blue Jackets’ showdown against the Boston Bruins.

After a 3-2 loss in Game 5, he was optimistic about a win in Game 6 and forcing a Game 7. This did not happen again as the Bruins won 3-0 and clinched the series 4-2.

RELATED
Fans Troll Mitch Marner Following 2026 Stanley Cup Final Loss: “Biggest Choker in Sports”

John Tortorella is unclear about his coaching future

John Tortorella and the Vegas Golden Knights suffered a 4-2 Stanley Cup Final loss after their 3-0 defeat on Sunday. Following this loss, the head coach is uncertain regarding his future.

John Tortorella
John Tortorella (Image via Bleacher Report)

Tortorella had signed a short-term deal with the Golden Knights after the team fired Bruce Cassidy. While speaking with the reporters after the Game 6 loss, he did not commit to his future with the team.

I haven’t even…I have to swallow this (loss) first.

John Tortorella said

He then expressed his gratitude and admitted he was “fortunate” to get a chance to coach the team so late into the season.

I feel very fortunate how this all came about, and just kind of in a weird way at the end of the year. And then to get locked in with these guys, I just feel fortunate to get to know the team, get to know the organization, first-class organization, and just to have the opportunity. Like I said, I’ve wanted to coach, I want to coach. And to jump into this with this gang, I feel so fortunate.

John Tortorella added

For the Golden Knights, this was their second Stanley Cup Final defeat in their short franchise history. After losing in the final in their first season against the Washington Capitals, they won the trophy in 2023 by beating the Florida Panthers.

The big question now is, will the team stick with Tortorella after his impressive run in a short span of time? Only time will tell the answer to this.

Also Read: