Stanley Cup Final Game Four: You're Never Too Old to Score Game-Winning Goals

When this year's Stanley Cup Final became official, there was a collective groan. The Vegas Golden Knights facing the Carolina Hurricanes was not the ideal match for many fans. It was believed by many fans that this series would be a ratings nightmare. The hockey fandom was convinced that no one would watch this series, and that it would a disaster.

Yet we're three games in and what have we seen? Multi-goal comebacks. Hat Tricks at the blink of an eye. Three-goal third periods. Four-goal periods! Overtime! Double overtime! This has become the best Cup Final in a while, and it was reported that the ratings for Game One were through the roof. But as I said, three games have passed, and Game Three was won by the Vegas Golden Knights double overtime, giving them a 2-1 lead in the Final.

Game Four took place in Vegas, and the Carolina Hurricanes decided that Brandon Bussi would get the start over Frederik Andersen, as the once untouchable Andersen was getting touched... a lot. Bussi entered for Andersen in relief in the third period of Game Three, and stopped every shot except the flukey goal in double OT. Even so, the Hurricanes needed to start on time. 66 seconds in, Logan Stankoven makes it 1-0! Carolina received a power play after that, but seconds after it was killed off, Jackson Blake made it 2-0. So far, so good for the Canes, but later on, Mark Stone broke away and put it in to put Vegas on the board.

Carolina later had a power play, and Jordan Staal put it in to make it 3-1! Vegas thought that they beat the first period buzzer, but replay showed that puck went in way late. Carolina led 3-1 after 20 minutes, and this was the start they needed. But in Game One, Carolina started strong, but couldn't finish.

However, the problem was apparently showing up yet again. Vegas got that second goal anyway; original "Misfit" William Karlsson put it in, and it was yet another point for Mitch Marner, as he had the secondary assist. Vegas didn't have a lot of shots, but it was a one goal game nonetheless. Then, in the late minutes of the period, Vegas tied it up, and it was Brett Howden with his fourteenth goal of this year's playoffs (and fourth of the Final). That 3-3 score held up at the end of the period. Here we go again. The second period seems to be the magical period for the Golden Knights. Six 2nd period goals in the two home games for Vegas.

The 3rd period, however, was Carolina's domain. Seven 3rd period goals in the last two games, and they made it eight on a weird one at the period's midpoint. See the player down on the ice? That's Jordan Staal. Yet as he was falling, he still manages to shoot the puck into the net! Carolina took their lead back, but they had to really fight to hold on. Time ticked down with the 4-3 score still holding up, but it was only a matter of time before Vegas would tie it. They pulled the goalie for the extra man, but in the final minute, Nikolaj Ehlers--who already had two assists--shot it in the empty net from the other end of the ice. That sealed it!

The Carolina Hurricanes won Game Four, 5-3, and as a result, we have a 2-2 Cup Final! This is what Carolina needed; they started on time, and they actually finished. Brandon Bussi picked up his first career playoff win in the Final, so we'll most likely see him in net at home for Game Five. Nikolaj Ehlers had a three-point night, but the main story was 37-year-old Jordan Staal with a pair of goals, including the GWG while falling on his face.

So for the 31st time (and the second straight year), we have a 2-2 Cup Final after four games. Funny how the same people who said this series would suck are now worshipping the insanity we have been witnessing in this Final. In the past 30 Cup Finals that have been 2-2, the winner of Game Five has won the series 23 times (76.7%). Game Four took place on the 25th anniversary of one of those seven teams losing the Final after winning Game Five in a 2-2 scenario: the New Jersey Devils in 2001.

The Cup Final is a best-of-three now, and the all important Game Five takes place on Thursday in Raleigh.

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