Staal’s Game‑Winning Goal Ties Cup Final 2‑2
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- Jordan Staal scored the game‑winning goal at 6:32 of the third period, breaking a 3‑3 tie and giving the Hurricanes a 5‑3 victory in Game 4, evening the series at 2‑2.
- Jordan Staal also netted a power‑play goal in the first period, putting Carolina ahead 3‑1 early in Game 4.
- Jordan Staal has seven playoff goals total, five of which came in this series, making him the first player since Mike Bossy (1982) to score in each of the first four Stanley Cup Final games.
- Jordan Staal (age 37 years, 272 days) became the third‑oldest player to record a multi‑goal game in a Stanley Cup Final, behind Mark Recchi (43) and Igor Larionov (41).
- Nik Ehlers provided the primary assist on Staal’s game‑winning goal after a play that began with Seth Jarvis intercepting a Golden Knights clearing attempt.
- John Tortorella of the Vegas Golden Knights said the team must be stronger and win the battle after the loss.
- Rod Brind’Amour of the Carolina Hurricanes called the series “unpredictable” and “crazy,” noting the rapid swings in momentum.
Why it matters: The win restores Carolina’s home‑ice advantage and shifts the series to a best‑of‑three, forcing Vegas to regroup. Staal’s record‑tying streak and multi‑goal game also boost the Hurricanes’ confidence while highlighting the series’ unpredictability, making every subsequent matchup a high‑stakes battle for both clubs.