Overview
- Carolina beat Vegas 5-3, with Jordan Staal scoring twice including the early third-period winner that broke a 3-3 tie.
- The Hurricanes started Brandon Bussi after Frederik Andersen did not dress, a coaching decision Rod Brind'Amour described as giving Andersen a break.
- Vegas rallied from a 3-1 first-period deficit to tie the game in the second but could not sustain pressure late and gave up the decisive goal on a net-front play.
- Commentators have highlighted continued concerns about Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart's performance in a high-scoring Final that has produced 33 goals through four games.
- With the series tied 2-2 the focus shifts to Game 5 in Raleigh, a de facto best-of-three that will likely hinge on goaltender selection, special teams and cleaning up defensive turnovers.