The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final to tie the series at 2-2. Captain Jordan Staal led the charge for Carolina with two goals—including the game-winner in the third period—while goalie Brandon Bussi secured the win in his first career postseason start.
Facing the possibility of falling into a 3-1 series deficit, Carolina turned to Bussi for his first career playoff start after Frederik Andersen was scratched. The move paid off as Bussi stopped 18 shots, while the Hurricanes built early leads of 2-0 and 3-1. Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake also scored, and Nikolaj Ehlers added a goal and two assists.
Vegas erased a two-goal deficit during the second period, getting goals from Mark Stone, William Karlsson and Brett Howden, whose 14th postseason goal tied for the playoff lead. But with the score even at 3-3, Staal put Carolina ahead for good when he converted a backhand while falling to the ice midway through the third period. Ehlers sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.
The 37-year-old Staal continued his remarkable series, becoming the first player since Mike Bossy in 1982 to score in each of the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final. Carolina improved to 8-1 following playoff losses this spring and again avoided consecutive defeats, something it has not experienced since January.
The best-of-seven championship series now shifts back to North Carolina for Game 5 on Thursday, June 10, 2026 at the Lenovo Center. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. ET and will be televised nationally on ABC.
Editorial credit: Usa-Pyon / Shutterstock.com