3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ 5-3 Win in Game 4 Over Golden Knights – The Hockey Writers – Carolina Hurricanes

Just like in Raleigh for Games 1 and 2, we have a split set of games in Las Vegas. After losing in a heartbreaking double overtime defeat on Saturday night (June 6), the Carolina Hurricanes bounced back on Tuesday night (June 9), defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3. We will have a 2-2 series heading back to Raleigh on Thursday night (June 11) to see who will take a 3-2 series lead. Before the focus shifts to Game 5, what stood out in Game 4?

Takeaway #1: Jordan Staal Strikes Again for 2 Goals

After scoring 20 goals in the regular season, Jordan Staal has been putting on a scoring clinic in the Stanley Cup Final. He scored two more goals, giving him five in the Stanley Cup Final; he cannot stop scoring. Staal’s first goal gave him a four-game scoring streak, joining Mike Bossy (1982 – New York Islanders), Steve Payne (1981 – Minnesota North Stars), and Johnny Bucyk (1970 – Boston Bruins). He became the first player in 43 years to score a goal in the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final.

Not only that, Staal became the third-oldest player in Stanley Cup Final history to have a multi-goal game at 37 years and 272 days. He’s only behind Mark Recchi (43 years) and Igor Larionov (41 years). Furthermore, he is only one goal in Game 5 away from having a five-game goal streak. He tied the likes of Bossy, Wayne Gretzky, and others to have a four-game goal streak in a Stanley Cup Final. Yvan Cournoyer is the only player to have five (1973 – Montreal Canadiens).

The fact that Staal had two goals heading into the fourth round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and now has five in this series alone is remarkable. He’s up to seven for the playoffs, only trailing Logan Stankoven (11) on the Hurricanes. He has certainly rocketed himself up the charts to win the Conn Smythe if the Hurricanes win it all with his remarkable play in the Stanley Cup Final through four games.

Takeaway #2: Brandon Bussi Earns First Stanley Cup Final Win

After coming in relief during Game 3 on Saturday night, Brandon Bussi got the tap to start Game 4 for his first-ever playoff start. What a moment for the 27-year-old as he became the first undrafted goalie to make his first playoff start in the Stanley Cup Final. Not only that, he became the 10th goalie in NHL history to accomplish the feat.

How do you cap off this momentous opportunity? By earning his first Stanley Cup Final win in his first start. Bussi went on to stop 18 of 21 shots to secure the win. While it was an .857 save percentage (SV%), all they care about is securing the win. Through two playoff games, Bussi now has a 2.28 goals-against average (GAA), a .900 SV%, and his first playoff win.

Following the Game 3 loss, the big question heading into Game 4 was who was going to be in the crease. In the end, it was Bussi, and now the Hurricanes walk away with a split set of games in Las Vegas with a chance to take a 3-2 series lead on Thursday at home in Raleigh.

Takeaway #3: Series Tied 2-2 Heading Back to Raleigh

Through four games, we have seen 33 goals between the Hurricanes and the Golden Knights. This series has been nothing short of pure cinema. Game 3 saw a peak of 6.1 million viewers, with an average of 5 million. The series has averaged 4.9 million viewers, and one has to think Game 4 will help with those numbers.

Between multiple lead changes, comebacks, disallowed goals, and more, the 2026 Stanley Cup Final has been unpredictable. No lead is safe in this series. That said, the series is now tied 2-2 as it shifts back to Raleigh once again for Game 5 on Thursday. The Hurricanes will be seeking to take a 3-2 series lead, which would be their first since the Eastern Conference Final.

The Hurricanes will once again need to have a better second period if they plan on taking a series lead after Thursday. They’ve been outscored 9-1 in the middle frame. The Hurricanes have to clean it up in the second period if they want to head into Game 6 with a series lead. Rod Brind’Amour has been saying all series that they have had good starts and finishes; it’s about being better in the middle. If they can play a full 60 minutes of Hurricanes hockey on Thursday, they will have a chance to win it all in Game 6.

However, it’ll be one period and shift at a time in their next game back home. For now, the series is tied, and the Hurricanes have still not lost back-to-back games since mid-January. Can they win Game 5 on Thursday?