Jordan Staal makes history as Hurricanes tie Stanley Cup Final with Golden Knights

Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal is known for his faceoff prowess, defensive abilities and leadership.

But his current goal streak has put him in the company of Hall of Famers.

Staal scored twice for a 5-3 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, June 9. His first goal allowed him to tie Hall of Famers Mike Bossy and Johnny Bucyk with a goal in each of the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final.

"Everyone knows he's a good defensive player, but he's got some offensive ability too," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "For whatever reason, goals are going in."

The first goal gave Carolina a 3-1 lead in the first period. After Vegas roared back to tie the game in the second period, Staal broke the tie in the third period with a shot as he was falling as the Hurricanes capitalized on a turnover.

"My goodness, my feet were twisted over each other and I ended up getting enough good wood on it, and I did just see it poke in," he told Sportsnet about his seventh goal of the playoffs.

The story at the beginning of Game 4 was Hurricanes goalie Brandon Bussi getting the start and Frederik Andersen not dressing in order to get rest.

But Staal, 37, stole the show and frustrated the Golden Knights. Coach John Tortorella thought they had him under control in front on the first goal before he scored.

"He's a big man," Tortorella said. "He's a good player. That's where he lives. We just have to do a better job. … We have to be strong and have to win that battle."

Home-ice advantage shifts back to the Hurricanes with two of the final three games in Raleigh, North Carolina, if the series goes to seven games. Game 5 is on Thursday, June 11.

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes. Here are highlights:

Game 4 recap

Final score: Hurricanes 5, Golden Knights 3

Jordan Staal stood out again, scoring two goals, and Brandon Bussi played well enough to get consideration for a second consecutive start in Game 5. The Hurricanes built a quick 2-0 lead and led 3-1 after the first period, but once again, the Golden Knights continue to dominate in the second period. Vegas coach John Tortorella was frustrated with the mistakes on Staal's game-winner.

Hurricanes score: Nikolaj Ehlers gets empty net goal

Ehlers banks the puck off the boards and it goes into the empty net. Hurricanes 5, Golden Knights 3.

Golden Knights pull goalie

Carter Hart goes to the bench for extra skater, 1:59 left.

Five minutes left

4-3 Hurricanes.

10 minutes left in third period

4-3 Hurricanes. They lead 26-16 in shots.

Hurricanes score: Jordan Staal gives Carolina lead

Carter Hart stopped Seth Jarvis on a terrible turnover. The puck eventually comes to Jordan Staal, who knocks in the puck as he's falling. It's his second goal of the night. Hurricanes 4, Golden Knights 3

Golden Knights go on power play

K'Andre Miller is called for tripping. Vegas pressing early. Brandon Bussi keeps it tied Penalty is killed.

Third period underway

Score is tied 3-3. Golden Knights trying to go up 3-1 while the Hurricanes are tying to tie the series. Thirty seconds remain on the 4-on-4. Now we're at full strength.

Second-period analysis: Golden Knights 3, Hurricanes 3

The Golden Knights have dominated the second period during the Stanley Cup Final and they did so again in Game 4. William Karlsson and Brett Howden scored to tie the game as yet another two-goal lead is blown in this series.

4-on-4 play

Carolina's Jackson Blake collides with goalie Carter Hart. Brayden McNabb cross-checks the Carolina player. It's 4-on-4.

Golden Knights score: Brett Howden ties game

Brett Howden scores his 14th goal of the playoffs, beating Brandon Bussi glove high while shooting through a defender's leg. That breaks Jonathan Marchessault's team playoff record from the 2023 Stanley Cup run. Howden had 12 goals in the regulation season. Golden Knights 3, Hurricanes 3

Golden Knights go on power play

Jordan Martinook is called for interference. Vegas gets two shots but Carolina kills the penalty. Still 3-2 Hurricanes.

Hurricanes go on power play

Nic Dowd cross-checks Logan Stankoven. Not much going on there for Carolina as Vegas kills it off.

Golden Knights score: William Karlsson pulls Vegas closer

Rasmus Andersson circles the net and feeds William Karlsson for the score. Mitch Marner gets the secondary assist for his 29th point of the playoffs. Hurricanes 3, Golden Knights 2

Second period underway

3-1 Hurricanes. The Golden Knights have outplayed Carolina in the second period in the previous three games.

First-period analysis: Hurricanes 3, Golden Knights 1

The Hurricanes came out flying in that period as they to avoid a 3-1 deficit. Two goals in the first 3:28, both scored because Carolina had players near the net. Though Mark Stone got one goal back, Jordan Staal extended his goal streak in the Final to four games. Brandon Bussi looks good so far on limited shots against.

Jordan Staal ties Hall of Famer Mike Bossy

Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal is the first player to scored goals in the first four games of the Stanley Cup Final since Hall of Famer Mike Bossy in 1982. Hall of Famer Johnny Bucyk also did it, as did Steve Payne.

Golden Knights goal waved off

Vegas appeared to score, but a replay showed that time ran out before the puck went into the net.

Big save by Carter Hart

Taylor Hall gets a breakaway as he comes out of the penalty box, but is stopped by Carter Hart.

Golden Knights go on power play

Taylor Hall is called for slashing. Penalty is killed.

Why isn't Frederik Andersen playing?

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said Brandon Bussi got the start because he played great when he entered Game 3. Why isn't Frederik Andersen dressed? "Let him rest," the coach told ABC.

Hurricanes score: Jordan Staal strikes again

A too many men on the ice cost the Hurricanes last game. Now it costs the Golden Knights. Jordan Staal scores on a rebound of a Shayne Gostisbehere shot. Staal, 37, has scored in every game the 2026 final. Hurricanes 3, Golden Knights 1

Hurricanes go on power play

Golden Knights is called for too many men on the ice. And Carolina scores.

10 minutes left in first period

Another wild game. It's 2-1 Carolina, which leads 8-2 in shots.

Golden Knights score: Mark Stone gets one back

Nice goal. He gets a breakaway on a Shea Theodore pass, fakes a shot, stickhandles and deposits the puck behind an outstretched Brandon Bussi. Another example of players getting behind the Hurricanes' defense. Hurricanes 2, Golden Knights 1

Hurricanes score: Jackson Blake adds to lead

Taylor Hall feeds Jackson Blake for a goal four seconds after the penalty expires. Hurricanes 2, Golden Knights 0

Hurricanes go on power play

Shea Theodore is called for tripping. Mark Stone is stopped on a short-handed chance. Penalty is killed but Carolina scores right after.

Hurricanes score: Logan Stankoven opens scoring

Carter Hart can't control Jalen Chatfield's shot off the boards and the puck comes to Logan Stankoven, who scores his 11th goal of the playoffs at 1:06. Hurricanes 1, Golden Knights

Golden Knights vs Hurricanes Game 4 underway

Carter Hart vs. Brandon Bussi in net.

What time is Golden Knights vs Hurricanes Stanley Cup Final Game 4?

Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final will be played at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, June 9, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

What channel is Golden Knights vs Hurricanes Stanley Cup Final Game 4?

Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final will be broadcast by ABC.

Golden Knights vs Hurricanes: How to watch Game 4?

Date: Tuesday, June 9

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Location: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada)

TV: ABC

Streaming: Fubo

Golden Knights vs Hurricanes Game 4 odds

All odds provided via BetMGM (as of 5 p.m. ET, June 9)

• Spread: Hurricanes (-1.5)
• Money line: Hurricanes (-115), Golden Knights (-105)
• Over/under: (6)

Golden Knights vs Hurricanes starting goalies

Vegas' Carter Hart vs. Carolina's Brandon Bussi, who's making his first playoff start.

Golden Knights vs Hurricanes opening lines

Vegas' Mitch Marner line vs. Carolina's Jordan Staal line.

Vegas Golden Knights lines

Carolina Hurricanes lines

Brandon Bussi starting Game 4

He's the first goalie out for the warmups, so Brandon Bussi is starting. Frederik Andersen is listed as a scratch for Game 4. Pyotr Kochetkov is backing up.

Vegas Golden Knights' leading scorers

Mitch Marner (28 points), Jack Eichel (20), Brett Howden (17)

Howden leads all NHL scorers with 13 goals.

Carolina Hurricanes' leading scorers

Taylor Hall (17 points), Jackson Blake (16), Logan Stankoven (14)

Stankoven leads the Hurricanes with 10 goals.

Hurricanes known for bouncing back

The Hurricanes haven't lost back-to-back games since Jan. 12-13 in the regular season.

The importance of Game 4

Teams that go up 3-1 in the Stanley Cup Final are 38-1 overall. The only team that has overcome a 3-1 series deficit in the final is the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, who lost the first three games against the Detroit Red Wings.

John Tortorella doesn't care which goalie Vegas faces

One difference between the two Hurricanes goalies is that Frederik Andersen catches left and Brandon Bussi catches right. Golden Knights coach John Tortorella said it doesn't matter.

"We don't care who's playing, what hand, what feet, we're just going to play," he told reporters.

Rod Brind'Amour quiet about Game 4 lineup

The Hurricanes coach was asked several times about his goaltending and lineup choices and he said he wouldn't reveal them. "You'll see when we get out there," Brind'Amour told reporters.

NHL news: Avalanche's Gabriel Landeskog wins two awards

The Colorado Avalanche captain captured the Masterton Trophy for perseverance and the Mark Messier Leadership Award. Landeskog, 33, had multiple knee surgeries and sat out more than 1,000 days before returning in the 2025 playoffs. He played 60 games in the 2025-26 season and helped the Avalanche win the Presidents' Trophy. Colorado was 45-7-8 when he played and 10-9-3 when he did not.

NHL news: Michael McCarron receives extension

The Minnesota Wild signed Michael McCarron to a six-year, $20 million contract extension. The 6-6 forward, acquired from the Nashville Predators in March, won 52.5% of his faceoffs and topped 200 hits.

NHL news: Kings hire Peter Laviolette as coach

Peter Laviolette was hired as coach of the Los Angeles Kings. The move brings a veteran presence and Stanley Cup winner behind the bench.

Laviolette won the 2006 championship with the Hurricanes. He has coached nearly 1,600 regular-season games with six NHL teams, most recently the New York Rangers from 2023-25. He led the Rangers to the Presidents' Trophy and the Eastern Conference finals in his first season there but was fired in 2025 after they finished out of the playoffs.

He's reuniting with Artemi Panarin, who had a career-best 120 points in Laviolette's first season with the Rangers.