NHL Stanley Cup Final 2026: Who has the edge now that the series is perfectly tied at 2-2

Jordan Staal scored twice, including the go-ahead goal while falling to the ice in the third period, as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 in Game 4 on Tuesday night to level the NHL Stanley Cup Final at 2-2. Nikolaj Ehlers finished with a goal and two assists, while Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake also scored for Carolina. Game 5 goes Thursday in Raleigh. Carolina found a familiar answer in captain Jordan Staal. His second goal of the night midway through the third period proved decisive in a 5-3 victory that tied the series at 2-2. Staal's impact on this series keeps growing.The veteran center opened the scoring for Carolina's captain-led effort and then delivered the biggest moment of the night at 6:32 of the third period. With the game tied 3-3, Vegas turned the puck over deep in its own zone. Carolina quickly regained possession behind the net before Nikolaj Ehlers threaded a pass across the crease. Falling to the ice, Staal connected with a one-timer that beat Carter Hart and restored the Hurricanes' lead for good.The goal capped another remarkable chapter in a Final that has featured constant momentum swings. Staal also entered rare company. He became the first player in 44 years to score in each of the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final, matching a feat last accomplished by Mike Bossy in 1982.Carolina's attack continued to produce throughout the lineup. Logan Stankoven scored just 1:06 into the game, Jackson Blake added another goal and assist, while Ehlers finished with an empty-net goal and two assists. The Hurricanes have now scored at least four goals in every game of the series, a reflection of an offense that continues to generate chances regardless of game flow.For the fourth consecutive game, a team rallied from at least a two-goal deficit. Carolina surged ahead 3-1 in the opening period, only to watch Vegas battle back behind goals from William Karlsson and Brett Howden to tie the contest before the second intermission.Even with the comeback, the Golden Knights could not complete the turnaround. Mark Stone also scored for Vegas, while Hart stopped 23 shots. The Knights generated timely pressure, but Carolina capitalized on key mistakes at critical moments.The Hurricanes also received an important performance from Brandon Bussi, who started in place of Frederik Andersen and made 18 saves. Explaining the decision, coach Rod Brind'Amour told ABC: “Let (Andersen) rest. Give him as many days here as we can.”Game 4 was the first contest of the series not decided by a single goal, though it hardly felt comfortable until Ehlers' empty-netter sealed it. Now the Final shifts to Raleigh for Game 5, where Carolina will have an opportunity to move one win closer to its first Stanley Cup title in two decades.On paper, it's dead even. But context matters. Teams that take a 2-1 series lead in the Cup Final have won the championship 80.7% of the time.The Hurricanes now return home with two potential games at Lenovo Center, a building that has been loud and hostile all postseason. The series is tied 2-2, with Game 5 set for Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Carolina's power play has found its rhythm. Staal is producing at a historic clip. And Bussi, thrust into the spotlight, made 18 saves without looking overwhelmed. and Carolina just prevented Vegas from getting there.Vegas still has Carter Hart, the experience of winning a Cup in 2023, and a roster that has shown it can come from behind in this very series. "A win is a win," Mark Stone said before Game 4. "Would we have liked to close that game out a lot earlier? Of course. But they're a good team." They are. And so is Carolina. That's what makes Thursday appointment exciting.Here is the updated schedule for the Stanley Cup Final: