2026 NHL Stanley Cup Final: 5 Takeaways From Hurricanes-Golden Knights Game 4

Anyone sick of this Cup Final yet?

Yeah, didn't think so.

The fourth installment of this raucous showdown between the Hurricanes and the Golden Knights saw another compromised two-goal lead, another dominant second period from Vegas, and, this time, a 5- 3 Hurricanes win to even the series. With this, the Hurricanes still haven't lost two games in a row since January.

Carolina's power play kept rolling with a two-goal explosion in the first period to set the tone, then Captain Jordan Staal put together an unexpected case for the Conn Smythe with two goals on the evening, totaling five in four Cup Final games. 

On the other side, Mitch Marner kept his Conn Smythe campaign alive and well with his 29th point of this postseason, a Vegas playoff record that also leads the 2026 playoffs. 

While the entire fate of this series feels up in the air on a shift-by-shift basis, one thing's for sure as we return to Raleigh for Game 5, all tied up: You can't miss a second of this thing. To put it in perspective, this is the first time in Stanley Cup Final history that the losing team in every game so far has scored three or more goals. So, yeah, a lot is going on, and we can't be quite sure about any of it.

Here are the biggest takeaways from Game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, as we're once again decompressing from an absolute banger.

Rod Brind’Amour Rolls the Dice With Brandon Bussi Over Frederik Andersen and Wins

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Not only did Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour go with Brandon Bussi over Freddie Andersen in net, but Andersen was deemed a healthy scratch before the game.

Brind'Amour explained this in an in-game interview with ESPN's Emily Kaplan, stating that the team figured it would end up using both netminders throughout the playoffs, as was the case in the regular season. It seems like Brind'Amour wanted to give Andersen a bit of a break after starting some grueling games recently.

Bussi's first Stanley Cup Playoff and Stanley Cup Final start was a series-equalizing win. He allowed three goals on 21 shots for an .857 save percentage, and the final goal in particular was a bit shaky, but he held on with a few stabilizing saves in crunch time for the win.

In a series full of wonky goaltending, wonkier vibes, and goal after goal, the survival aspect is really all that matters in net right now. The Hurricanes' defense was off to a rough start this series, but for whatever reason, the group has been playing sharper in front of Bussi. That matters.

Jordan Staal is Leading By Example

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Staal's role with the Hurricanes hasn't typically revolved around scoring, but rather around leadership and winning. So, while Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov have gone cold on the scoresheet in the Cup Final, Staal has taken the lead in that department.

Staal, 37, had a two-goal performance in this crucial, equalizing game four win -- including the game-winner. He's scored a goal in each game to start this wild Cup Final. His five total make him the first player to score five goals in the first four games of the Cup Final since Mario Lemieux in 1992. No big deal.

Hurricanes players often praise Staal's off-ice leadership, and he's been the perfect captain under like-minded, defense-first head coach Rod Brind'Amour. You've seen him all over the ice tonight, winning face-offs and blocking shots first and foremost.

But his ability to step up and score goals for a team whose typical scorers have gone cold could win the Hurricanes the Cup Final. Let the Conn Smythe discourse begin.

Vegas Owns the 2nd Period, Carolina Owns the 3rd

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Brett Howden

Vegas used to be the most dominant third-period team in the league, as their come-from-behind reputation precedes them. The Hurricanes have been doing most of the rallying in this series, though it has been fruitless at times.

Carolina rallied in Game 2 with 10 minutes left in the third to eventually win, then it climbed out of a four-goal hole in the third period of Game 3, eventually losing in double overtime.

The Golden Knights have found a new home, though: The second period. They've outscored the Hurricanes 9-1 in the second period this series, going 2-0 in the second period in Game 4.

What does all the period-shifting dominance mean? Absolutely nothing, apparently! Just hold on to your butts and expect the unexpected for every second we've got left of this beautiful mess of a Cup Final.

Jack Eichel Has Been Super Quiet During the Final

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We've been so focused on Marner's glory that we've rarely stopped to think: "Huh, if he's having to score all these points, and if Brett Howden's got 14 goals, where the heck is Jack Eichel?"

Stars and top-liners are often neutralized when you get to the later rounds of the playoffs -- just ask Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov on the other side of this matchup.

But Eichel's absence from this series -- and the playoffs -- has been particularly jarring: The Vegas center has just two assists and no goals through the first four games, and has just two goals in the entire playoffs.

On one hand, he's been there playmaking for Mark Stone and Marner, and maybe letting the hot hands take the scoring lead is wise. On the other hand, it's tough to see Vegas coming out of this series victorious if Eichel doesn't pitch in on the scoresheet soon.

Carter Hart is Struggling

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There's been much ado about Carolina's goalie situation, and it makes sense considering Freddie Andersen's shaky start, highlighted by Game 3's second period. But now that the Hurricanes have opted to start Brandon Bussi and that has paid off, we direct our attention to Vegas' net.

Carter Hart is officially the first goaltender in Stanley Cup Final history to allow four goals in the first four games. That famously includes the three goals in 39 seconds in the third period of Game 3, but his Knights managed to eke out a double-overtime win and avoid total collapse.

Through the first four games of this Cup Final, Hart is 2-2 with an .861 save percentage and -3.99 goals saved above expected. Game 4's performance ended with four goals against on 27 shots, for an .852 save percentage.

No goalie performance has been great, or even above average, through this Cup Final so far. But you have to wonder if the Golden Knights shake things up and give Adin Hill a spin for Game 5.