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

As with Raleigh for Games 1 and 2, we have a different set of games in Las Vegas. After suffering a heartbreaking overtime loss on Saturday night (June 6), the Carolina Hurricanes bounced back on Tuesday night (June 9), defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3. We’ll have a 2-2 back-to-back series in Raleigh on Thursday night (June 11) to see who comes out on top 3-2. Before focusing on Game 5, what stands out from Game 4?

Takeaway #1: Jordan Staal Scored 2 Goals Again

After scoring 20 goals in the regular season, Jordan Staal has been scoring in the Stanley Cup Final. He scored two more goals, giving him five in the Stanley Cup Final; he can’t stop scoring. Staal’s first goal gave him a four game 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 in the first four games of the Stanley Cup Finals.

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 is behind Mark Recchi (43 years) and Igor Larionov (41 years). In addition, he only has one goal in Game 5 in a five-game hitting streak. He tied the likes of Bossy, Wayne Gretzky, and others for a four-game hitting streak in the Stanley Cup Finals. Yvan Cournoyer is the only player with 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 impressive. He has reached seven in the playoffs, trailing Logan Stankoven (11) for the Hurricanes. He’s certainly on the charts to win the Conn Smythe if the Hurricanes win it all with his incredible performance in the four-game Stanley Cup Final.

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

After relieving himself during Game 3 on Saturday night, Brandon Bussi got on tap to start Game 4 in his first-ever playoff start. Stop short for the 27-year-old as he becomes the first undrafted goaltender to make his playoff debut in the Stanley Cup Finals. Not only that, he became the 10th goaltender in NHL history to accomplish this feat.

How do you close this important opportunity? Earning his first Stanley Cup Final victory in his first start. Bussi went on to stop 18 of 21 shots to secure the win. Although it was a .857 save percentage (SV%), all they care about is getting wins. Through two playoff games, Bussi now has a 2.28 goals against average (GAA), .900 SV%, and his first playoff win.

After losing Game 3, the big question heading into Game 4 was who would come out on top. In the end, it was Bussi, and now the Hurricanes left with a different set of games in Las Vegas with a chance to take a 3-2 series lead 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 Golden Knights. This series was like pure cinema. Game 3 peaked at 6.1 million viewers, with an average of 5 million. The series averaged 4.9 million viewers, and one has to assume that Game 4 will help with those numbers.

Among the many lead changes, comebacks, disallowed goals, and more, the 2026 Stanley Cup Final was unpredictable. There is no safe lead in this series. That said, the series is now tied 2-2 as it returns to Raleigh for Game 5 on Thursday. The Hurricanes will be looking to take a 3-2 lead in the series, which will be their first since the Eastern Conference finals.

The Hurricanes will also need to have a better second half if they plan to take the series lead after Thursday. Outscored 9-1 in the middle frame. The Hurricanes must clean it up in the second half if they want to go into Game 6 with the series lead. Rod Brind’Amour has been saying throughout the series that they have good beginnings and good endings; it’s about getting better in between. If they can play a full 60 minutes of hockey for the Hurricanes on Thursday, they will have a chance to win it all in Game 6.

However, it will be one season and they change in time for their next game back home. Currently, the streak is tied, and the Hurricanes haven’t lost back-to-back games since mid-January. Can they win Game 5 on Thursday?