Staal's Acrobatic Backhand Lifts Hurricanes to Even Series at 2-2 · Jun. 9, 2026
Carolina dominated the opening period — Stankoven, Blake and Staal (PP) put the Hurricanes up 3-1 before Vegas clawed back through Karlsson and Howden to tie it 3-3 late in the second. Then, 6:32 into the third, Staal twisted, lost his footing, and chipped a falling backhand over a diving Carter Hart for his seventh playoff goal and the go-ahead marker. Ehlers added an empty-netter to seal it 5-3, sending the series back to Raleigh tied at two apiece — with the Hurricanes now holding home-ice advantage heading into Game 5 on Thursday.
Jun 10, 2026
Source: NHL