Hurricanes tie Stanley Cup Final 2-2 with 5-3 win over Golden Knights
Jordan Staal scored twice, including the overtime winner, as Carolina defeated Vegas 5-3 in Game 4, evening the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
Jordan Staal netted two goals, the second on the power play in the third period, to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, tying the series at 2-2. The win came despite Carolina surrendering leads of 2-0 and 3-1, with both teams mounting multiple comebacks throughout the series.
Freshman goaltender Brandon Bussi made his first playoff start for the Hurricanes, replacing Frederik Andersen, who was a healthy scratch. Bussi recorded several key saves, including a breakaway stop early in the game and a crucial save in the final seconds.
Logan Stankoven opened the scoring 66 seconds in, backhanding a rebound for his 11th postseason goal. Jackson Blake added a second goal on a pass from Taylor Hall. Vegas responded with a William Karlsson one-timer and later tied the game on a Brett Howden wrist shot.
In the third period, Staal’s backhanded rebound gave Carolina a 4-3 lead, and Nikolaj Ehlers capped the scoring with an empty-net goal. The win marked Staal’s fourth consecutive game with a goal in the finals, a feat not achieved since 1982.
"Pretty much every time we give him any type of opportunity, he seizes the moment," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said of Bussi after the game.
Game 5 is scheduled for Thursday in Raleigh.