Jordan Staal has scored his second goal of the game while stretched out on his stomach at 6:32 of the third period to put Carolina ahead for good in their 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights and even the Stanley Cup Final after four games.
Game 5 is Thursday night at Carolina, who will potentially have two games on home ice to win their first Cup in two decades. The Golden Knights are searching for their second in four years.
Tuesday's (Wednesday AEST) clash was the first not decided by one goal.
A two-goal lead has disappeared in all four games in what has been a remarkable series, in which momentum often changes at a moment's notice. Each team has led by at least that many twice.
The 33 combined goals are tied for the third highest in a Cup final.
Staal became the first player in 44 years to score at least one goal in each of the first four games of the final and the ninth overall.
The Carolina captain has 11 points in these playoffs, including seven goals.
Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-net goal and two assists for the Hurricanes, Jackson Blake had a goal and an assist and Logan Stankoven scored once.
JORDAN STAAL SCORES AGAIN 💥
— NHL (@NHL) June 10, 2026
The captain's second of the night gives the @Canes a 4-3 lead! #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: ABC
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/374dwNdaoA
Brandon Bussi started in place of Frederik Andersen in goal and made 18 saves. Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour told ABC that Andersen, who did not dress, needed the rest. Pyotr Kochetkov was the backup goaltender with Andersen serving as the emergency.
"Let (Andersen) rest," Brind'Amour said.
"Give him as many days here as we can."
Mark Stone, William Karlsson and Brett Howden scored goals for the beaten hosts, while Carter Hart made 23 saves.
