The Carolina Hurricanes evened the Stanley Cup Final at two games apiece with a 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena. Jordan Staal netted two goals, including the decisive tally midway through the third period, to lead the Hurricanes to the win.
Staal's Historic Run
Staal became just the fourth player in the expansion era (since 1967-68) to score a goal in each of the first four games of a Cup Final. His performance has been a cornerstone of Carolina's offensive attack throughout the series.
Nikolaj Ehlers contributed a goal and two assists, while Jackson Blake added a goal and an assist. Logan Stankoven also found the back of the net for the Hurricanes, who improved to 7-1 on the road during these playoffs.
Goaltending Change Pays Off
Brandon Bussi made his first start since April 14 and stopped 18 shots for Carolina. Regular starter Frederik Andersen, who had played every postseason game for the Hurricanes until Tuesday, was not dressed for the contest.
For the Golden Knights, William Karlsson recorded a goal and an assist. Brett Howden and Mark Stone each scored, and goaltender Carter Hart made 23 saves in the losing effort.
Fast-Paced First Period
After a heartbreaking overtime loss in Game 3 due to an odd bounce off the boards, the Hurricanes came out strong. Jalen Chatfield's wrist shot from the point missed wide but squirted through the crease, slipping under Hart's paddle and onto Stankoven's stick. Stankoven scored on a backhand chip in front to open the scoring at 1:06.
Carolina extended its lead to 2-0 at 3:28 on a tic-tac-toe passing play just as a power play expired. Ehlers fed the puck down low to Taylor Hall, who moved to the goalmouth and slid a cross-slot pass through a defender to Blake for an easy tap-in into a wide-open net.
The Golden Knights responded quickly. Sent in on his second breakaway of the period thanks to a beautiful stretch pass from Shea Theodore, Stone faked a slap shot and finished with a forehand deke in tight to cut the deficit to 2-1 at 7:22. It was Stone's seventh career Cup Final goal. The only active players with more are Brad Marchand (13), Corey Perry (11), Sam Reinhart (10), Evgeni Malkin (8) and Ondrej Palat (8).
Looking Ahead
Game 5 is scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Raleigh, North Carolina. The series now shifts back to the Hurricanes' home ice with the best-of-seven championship series tied 2-2.
