Stanley Cup Final Tied
Jordan Staal Sparks Hurricanes' Game 4 Rally, Evens Stanley Cup Final at Two Games Each
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Jordan Staal described his Game 4 goal as an “incredible moment” after being in an odd body position: “I was in my own world,” he said, adding, “I don’t know, man.” The NHL also detailed the play—Staal was down on his stomach, reached backhanded it past the diving goalie, then initially wasn’t sure it went in.
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The winning goalie’s role change came with uncertainty: coverage noted that Brandon Bussi made his first start in two months and “doesn’t know if that will be his last one this postseason.”
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Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour characterized Game 5 as a rare opportunity but also “pretty stressful,” saying, “I know I need to (appreciate it) because this doesn’t come across very often.” Vegas coach John Tortorella emphasized short-term focus: “We need to flush it and get ready for our next game… I don’t think we should be looking any farther than just the next game.”
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Statistical context underscored how unusual the series has been: there were 33 combined goals through four games (tied for the third-highest total in a Stanley Cup Final), and Staal became the first player in 44 years to score at least one goal in each of the first four games of a final (joining Mike Bossy as the last to do so in 1982).
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Carolina’s roster and chance quality details went beyond the goalie swap: Frederik Andersen “did not dress,” Pyotr Kochetkov was listed as the backup goalie with Andersen as the emergency goaltender, and Natural Stat Trick numbers showed Vegas had four high-danger chances to Carolina’s three—despite Carolina outscoring the Knights.
Jordan Staal scored twice in Carolina's 5-3 win over Vegas on Monday night, including the go-ahead goal at 6:32 of the third period while flat on his stomach. The Hurricanes erased a 3-3 tie to even the Stanley Cup Final at 2-2, setting up a pivotal Game 5 in Raleigh on Thursday. The Guardian reported that the series has now produced 33 combined goals through four games — tied for the third-highest total in Cup Final history.
Staal's latest goal made him the first player in 44 years to score in each of the first four games of a Cup Final, joining Mike Bossy (1982), according to TSN. Carolina is chasing its first title since 2006. Vegas, which won the Cup in 2023, must now respond on the road.
Staal's Stomach-Level Goal Breaks 3-3 Tie
With the game tied 3-3 in the third period, Staal dove for a loose puck and scored backhanded while lying on his stomach, beating the diving Carter Hart. "I was in my own world," Staal said afterward. "I don't know, man." He initially wasn't sure the puck had crossed the line. Nikolaj Ehlers, returning from a lower-body injury, added the primary assist and later sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Ehlers finished with three points on the night, per NHL.com.
Staal also dominated the faceoff circle, winning 12 of 16 draws (75%), the best rate of any player in the game, Field Level Media reported. Vegas coach John Tortorella was blunt about the problem: "He's killing us in front of the net. We've got to do a better job around the blue ice."
Bussi Starts in Net as Andersen Sits for Rest
Carolina made a major change in goal. Frederik Andersen, who had posted a 4.44 goals-against average in the Final, did not dress. Brandon Bussi got the start — his first in two months — and made 18 saves. Coach Rod Brind'Amour said he simply wanted to give Andersen rest. Pyotr Kochetkov served as the backup, with Andersen listed as the emergency goaltender, per Daily Faceoff.
Bussi's backstory adds to the drama. The 27-year-old was an undrafted player claimed off waivers from Florida on Oct. 5, 2025. He won 31 games in the regular season and signed a three-year, $5.7 million extension in February, per NHL.com. After Game 4, he said he "doesn't know" if this will be his last start of the postseason. Daily Faceoff's Tyler Yaremchuk argued the crease "should be Bussi's to lose."
33 Goals in Four Games, History-Making Chaos
Every two-goal lead in this series has been erased. The back-and-forth has been relentless. The 33 combined goals through four games ties the 1980 Philadelphia-New York Islanders and 1932 New York Rangers-Toronto finals for the third-most in Cup Final history, according to The Guardian. Natural Stat Trick data shows Vegas actually generated four high-danger chances in Game 4 to Carolina's three — yet still lost 5-3, highlighting a finishing gap rather than a possession problem.
Vegas star Jack Eichel has 20 postseason points but has not scored in six games, per WSLS 10. Carter Hart made 23 saves but gave up five goals. Tortorella urged his team to move on quickly: "We need to flush it and get ready for our next game. I don't think we should be looking any farther than just the next game."
Game 5 in Raleigh: Carolina's Rare Shot at the Cup
The series shifts to Lenovo Center in Raleigh, where Carolina has been strong throughout these playoffs. Brind'Amour called Game 5 a rare opportunity — but also "pretty stressful." He added: "I know I need to appreciate it because this doesn't come across very often." The Hurricanes last hoisted the Cup 20 years ago, in 2006, per ca.headtopics.com.
The biggest open question before Thursday is whether Andersen returns to the net or Bussi gets another start. Brind'Amour has not committed either way. Vegas, meanwhile, faces the prospect of needing to win two of the next three games — potentially both on the road — to claim the title, per WSLS 10.
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