Jordan Staal's Heroics Propel Canes to Series-equalizing Win

WHO:

Defector - Frederik Andersen did not dress for the game, with Brandon Bussi starting and Pyotr Kochetkov backing him up.

The New York Times - Justin Williams, a former teammate, commented on Staal's performance, stating he is "clearly a determined man who knows the magnitude of the moment."

Defector - Jordan Staal, captain of the Carolina Hurricanes

Defector - Rod Brind'Amour, head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes

Defector - John Tortorella, head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights

NHL.com - Logan Stankoven, player for the Carolina Hurricanes

NHL.com - Jackson Blake, player for the Carolina Hurricanes

NHL.com - Mark Stone, player for the Vegas Golden Knights

NHL.com - Nikolaj Ehlers, player for the Carolina Hurricanes

NHL.com - Carter Hart, goalie for the Vegas Golden Knights

NHL.com - Brandon Bussi, goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes

WHAT:

Defector - Jordan Staal's game-winning goal was described as a "stomach-sliding winner" and is expected to become an iconic moment for the Hurricanes if they win the Stanley Cup.

NHL.com - Brandon Bussi made 18 saves in his first career playoff start, allowing three goals, and posted half of those saves during the third period.

The New York Times - Staal's second goal in Game 4 was his fifth goal of the series, marking goals in all four games.

The New York Times - Staal's game-winning goal came after he received a pass from Nikolaj Ehlers, who had picked up a loose puck after Seth Jarvis intercepted a pass.

The New York Times - Staal has now scored five goals in the series, with goals in all four games.

The New York Times - Staal became the fourth player since the 1967-68 expansion to record a goal in the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final, joining Mike Bossy, Steve Payne, and Johnny Bucyk.

Defector - Jordan Staal's game-winning goal was described as a "belly-flop winner" and is expected to become an iconic moment for the Hurricanes if they win the Stanley Cup.

NHL.com - Brandon Bussi made 18 saves in his first career playoff start, allowing three goals.

Fox News - The Carolina Hurricanes have lost more games in this series than in their three previous playoff series combined.

Fox News - The game featured the fastest three goals in Stanley Cup Final history scored by Carolina in the third period.

Defector - Jordan Staal's second goal in Game 4 was his fifth goal of the series, marking goals in all four games.

NHL.com - Staal became the third-oldest player to record a multi-goal game in a Stanley Cup Final at 37 years, 272 days old, following Mark Recchi and Igor Larionov.

The New York Times - Staal is now the third player in the past 40 years to record a four-game goal streak in a Stanley Cup Final.

The New York Times - Staal is the second player age 37 and older to score at least four goals in a Stanley Cup Final, following Brad Marchand's six goals in 2025.

The New York Times - Jordan Staal became the fourth player since the 1967-68 expansion to record a goal in the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final, joining Mike Bossy, Steve Payne, and Johnny Bucyk.

The New York Times - Staal has scored five goals in the series, with goals in all four games.

Defector - The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Defector - Jordan Staal scored two goals, including the game-winner in the third period.

NHL.com - The game featured a total of 33 combined goals through the first four games, marking it as the third-highest scoring Cup Final in league history.

NHL.com - The series is now tied at two games apiece.

WHERE:

Defector - The game took place in Las Vegas.

NHL.com - The series will head back to Carolina for Game 5.

WHEN:

NHL.com - Game 5 is scheduled for Thursday.

WHY:

Defector - The Hurricanes needed a win to avoid going to overtime again.

HOW:

The New York Times - Staal's game-winning goal came after a turnover by the Golden Knights, with Ehlers assisting on the play.

The New York Times - Jordan Staal's second goal came after he received a pass from Nikolaj Ehlers, who had picked up a loose puck after Seth Jarvis intercepted a pass.

The New York Times - Staal's game-winning goal came after he received a pass from Nikolaj Ehlers, who had picked up a loose puck after Seth Jarvis intercepted a pass.

The New York Times - Staal's second goal came after he received a pass from Nikolaj Ehlers, who had picked up a loose puck after Seth Jarvis intercepted a pass.

Defector - The Hurricanes scored two goals within the first 3:30 of the game.

NHL.com - Staal's game-winning goal came after a turnover by the Golden Knights, with Ehlers assisting on the play.

NHL.com - Brandon Bussi made 18 saves in his first career playoff start.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 16:22 UTC)

In a thrilling moment for the Carolina Hurricanes, Jordan Staal's game-winning goal, described as a "stomach-sliding winner," is poised to become iconic if the team clinches the Stanley Cup. Staal's second goal in Game 4 marked his fifth goal of the series, making him the fourth player since the 1967-68 expansion to score in the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final, joining legends like Mike Bossy and Johnny Bucyk. Game 5 is set for Thursday, where the Hurricanes will look to build on this momentum.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 12:16 UTC)

In a thrilling moment for the Carolina Hurricanes, Jordan Staal scored a game-winning goal that has been dubbed a "belly-flop winner," potentially marking an iconic highlight if the team secures the Stanley Cup. In his first career playoff start, Brandon Bussi made 18 saves but allowed three goals, while the Hurricanes faced a tough challenge, having lost more games in this series than in their previous three playoff series combined. The game also featured the fastest three goals in Stanley Cup Final history, all scored by Carolina in the third period, showcasing their determination to turn the tide.

(UPDATED June 11, 2026 06:31 UTC)

In an impressive display during Game 4, Jordan Staal scored his fifth goal of the series, marking goals in all four games and becoming the third player in the past 40 years to achieve a four-game goal streak in a Stanley Cup Final. At 37 years and 272 days old, Staal also made history as the third-oldest player to record a multi-goal game in the finals, following legends Mark Recchi and Igor Larionov. His game-winning goal came after a clever play where he received a pass from Nikolaj Ehlers, who had intercepted a pass and picked up a loose puck.

(UPDATED June 10, 2026 23:40 UTC)

In a standout performance, Jordan Staal has made history by becoming the fourth player since the 1967-68 expansion to score a goal in the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final, joining legends like Mike Bossy, Steve Payne, and Johnny Bucyk. Staal has netted five goals in the series so far, with his latest coming from a pass by Nikolaj Ehlers after a clever interception by Seth Jarvis. Meanwhile, Frederik Andersen did not dress for the game, leaving Brandon Bussi to start with Pyotr Kochetkov backing him up, as former teammate Justin Williams praised Staal's determination and awareness of the moment.

(UPDATED June 10, 2026 17:59 UTC)

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, with Jordan Staal scoring two goals, including the game-winner in the third period. This victory ties the series at two games apiece and marks the third-highest scoring Cup Final in league history, with a total of 33 combined goals through the first four games. Game 5 is scheduled for Thursday back in Carolina, where the Hurricanes will look to continue their momentum after Staal's decisive goal, assisted by Nikolaj Ehlers, and a strong performance from goalie Brandon Bussi, who made 18 saves in his first career playoff start.