Staal's Two Goals Power Hurricanes Past Golden Knights 5-3 in Game 4

Staal's Two Goals Power Hurricanes Past Golden Knights 5-3 in Game 4

Jordan Staal scored twice, including the go-ahead goal early in the third period, as the Carolina Hurricanes took a commanding series lead with a 5-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at T-Mobile Arena.

Carolina's Logan Stankoven opened the scoring just over a minute into the game, and Jackson Blake doubled the lead less than three minutes later to give the Hurricanes an early 2-0 advantage. The Golden Knights got one back through Mark Stone later in the first period, but Carolina restored their two-goal lead when Jordan Staal converted on the power play with under 13 minutes remaining in the opening frame.

Goal-by-goal

- 01:06 of the first period: L. Stankoven of the Carolina Hurricanes struck first (assists: J. Chatfield, J. Blake). The score stood at Vegas Golden Knights 1, Carolina Hurricanes 0.

- 03:28 of the first period: J. Blake of the Carolina Hurricanes struck first (assists: T. Hall, N. Ehlers). The score stood at Vegas Golden Knights 2, Carolina Hurricanes 0.

- 07:22 of the first period: M. Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights struck first (assists: S. Theodore, B. McNabb). The score stood at Vegas Golden Knights 2, Carolina Hurricanes 1.

- 12:48 of the first period: J. Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes scored on the power play (assists: S. Gostisbehere, S. Aho). The score stood at Vegas Golden Knights 3, Carolina Hurricanes 1.

- 04:22 of the second period: W. Karlsson answered back for the Vegas Golden Knights (assists: R. Andersson, M. Marner). After two periods it was Vegas Golden Knights 3, Carolina Hurricanes 2.

- 17:08 of the second period: B. Howden answered back for the Vegas Golden Knights (assists: C. Sissons, W. Karlsson). After two periods it was Vegas Golden Knights 3, Carolina Hurricanes 3.

- 06:32 of the third period: J. Staal extended the lead for the Carolina Hurricanes (assists: N. Ehlers).

- 19:05 of the third period: N. Ehlers extended the lead for the Carolina Hurricanes into the empty net.

The game's three stars were:

1. J. Staal (CAR) — 2 goals, 0 assists

2. N. Ehlers (CAR) — 1 goal, 2 assists

3. W. Karlsson (VGK) — 1 goal, 1 assist

In goal, B. Bussi stopped 18 of 21 shots for the Hurricanes, while C. Hart made 23 saves on 27 shots for the Golden Knights.

What it means

The Hurricanes now lead the series 3-1 and can clinch their first Stanley Cup championship with a win in Game 5. Game 5 is scheduled for Friday at T-Mobile Arena.

Source: NHL.com boxscore (game id 2025030414, 2026-06-09)