Jordan Staal's two-goal night lifts Hurricanes past Golden Knights, evening Stanley Cup Final series
Jordan Staal wrote another chapter in what is becoming a memorable Stanley Cup Final on Saturday night, scoring twice to lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The win evened the best-of-seven series at two games apiece heading into Game 5, which is scheduled for Thursday at Carolina's Lenovo Center.
Staal's performance put him in rare company. He is the first player in 44 years to score a goal in each of the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final. His second goal, which broke a 3-3 tie with 13:39 remaining in the third period, came in unusual fashion. After Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore turned the puck over in his own zone, Seth Jarvis gained control near the net. Vegas goaltender Carter Hart stopped Jarvis's initial backhand attempt, but Jarvis battled to keep the puck alive in front of the crease. It eventually found its way to Nikolaj Ehlers, who flipped it toward Staal. Staal lost his footing as the puck arrived but managed to swat a backhanded shot toward the net while sliding on the ice. The puck slipped past Hart, and Staal celebrated from the ice.
Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour made a notable change in goal, starting Brandon Bussi over Frederik Andersen. It was Bussi's first appearance in the series. He faced 20 shots and stopped 7 of the 10 that found their way through to him. The Hurricanes defense and Bussi's timely saves protected the one-goal lead down the stretch.
Ehlers added an insurance goal late in the game, cleverly banking the puck out of his own zone with the Vegas net empty. The long-distance shot traveled the length of the ice and into the empty cage, sealing the 5-3 final.
Carolina came out of the gate fast, lighting the lamp three times in the opening period. Logan Stankoven opened the scoring just 1:06 into the game, his 11th goal of the postseason. Jackson Blake followed shortly after with a goal assisted by Taylor Hall and Ehlers. Staal completed the first-period outburst at the 12:48 mark on the power play, pouncing on a rebound after Shayne Gostisbehere's initial shot was stopped by Hart. Mark Stone scored for Vegas late in the period to make it 3-1 after 20 minutes.
Vegas answered back in the second. William Karlsson netted his third goal of the playoffs to pull the Golden Knights within one, and Brett Howden, a Conn Smythe Trophy candidate, scored his 14th goal of the postseason to tie the game at three heading into the third.
Howden's continued offensive production has strengthened his case for the Conn Smythe, awarded to the most valuable player of the playoffs.
The series now shifts back to Raleigh, where the Hurricanes will host Game 5 on Thursday looking to take a 3-2 series lead. The Golden Knights, meanwhile, will aim to reclaim the advantage on the road before a potential Game 6 back in Las Vegas.
With two games left in the series and no easy answer in sight, both teams have shown they can win on the other's ice. Staal's historic run, Brind'Amour's decision to turn to Bussi, and Howden's relentless scoring have given this Stanley Cup Final a compelling mix of star power, coaching conviction, and depth scoring that should make for a memorable finish.