The 2026 Stanley Cup Final has officially morphed into an unpredictable rollercoaster, and hockey fans couldn’t be happier. If you are looking for the absolute latest NHL News and NHL Scores, the massive story dominating the headlines today is the Carolina Hurricanes‘ stunning 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night.
With the series on the line and trailing 2-1 heading into Game 4, Carolina head coach Rod Brind’Amour made a massive gamble. He opted to rest starting goaltender Frederik Andersen, throwing 27-year-old rookie Brandon Bussi into the fire for his first start in two months. The gamble paid off immensely. Bussi looked calm under pressure, stopping 18 of 21 shots to secure the victory and completely shift the momentum of the series.
But the true hero of the night was the Hurricanes’ 37-year-old captain, Jordan Staal. Staal turned back the clock with a mesmerizing two-goal performance, cementing his place in Stanley Cup Final lore. The defining moment of the game came midway through the third period. With the score deadlocked at 3-3, Nikolaj Ehlers threaded a perfect pass across the crease. Staal, falling face-first onto the ice, managed to sweep a backhand shot past Vegas goaltender Carter Hart. That incredible effort stood as the game-winner, proving that veteran leadership and pure desperation are a deadly combination in June.
The Golden Knights didn’t go down quietly. Despite falling behind 3-1 in the first period, Vegas roared back in the second frame with crucial goals from William Karlsson and Brett Howden, tying the game and sending the T-Mobile Arena crowd into a frenzy. Mark Stone also continued his productive postseason, getting Vegas on the board early. However, Carolina’s relentless forecheck in the third period, capped off by an empty-net dagger from Ehlers from 187 feet away, sealed the deal.
As we look at the broader picture of NHL News and NHL Scores, this series has been an offensive juggernaut. Through four games, the teams have combined for 33 goals, averaging an incredible 8.3 goals per game. Every single matchup so far has featured a comeback from a multi-goal deficit. The series now shifts back to Raleigh for a pivotal Game 5 on Thursday night. With the Lenovo Center crowd waiting to unleash their famous “Caniac” energy, Vegas will need to regroup quickly to reclaim their edge.
NHL Scores from last night
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