Staal nets wild winner as Hurricanes even series

LAS VEGAS -- Jordan Staal scored his second goal of the game while stretched out on his stomach at 6:32 of the third period to put the Carolina Hurricanes ahead for good in their 5-3 victory on Tuesday night over the Vegas Golden Knights, evening the Stanley Cup Final after four games. "Hectic like the series has been," Carolina goalie Brandon Bussi told ABC of Staal's goal. "He's a big-time player. He leads us every day. He plays the right way and is rewarded." Game 5 is Thursday night at Carolina, which will potentially have two games on home ice to win its first Cup in two decades. The Golden Knights are searching for their second in four years. A two-goal lead had disappeared in all four games in what has been a remarkable series in which momentum often changes at a moment's notice. Each team has led by at least that many twice. Tuesday was the first game not decided by one goal. The 33 combined goals are tied for the third highest in a Cup final. Staal became the first player in 44 years to score at least one goal in each of the first four games of the final and the ninth overall. Mike Bossy in 1982 with the New York Islanders against the Vancouver Canucks was the last player to score in the first four games of a final. Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-net goal and two assists for the Hurricanes, Jackson Blake had a goal and an assist, Logan Stankoven scored a goal. Bussi started in place of Frederik Andersen in goal and made 18 saves. Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour told ABC that Andersen, who did not dress, needed the rest. Pyotr Kochetkov was the backup goalie with Andersen serving as the emergency goaltender. "This is what a lot of kids grow up, they dream up doing something like this," Bussi told ABC after the game. "I'm honored to have the opportunity. It was a great effort by us tonight, and I'm excited to get back to Raleigh." Mark Stone, William Karlsson and Brett Howden scored goals for the Golden Knights, and Carter Hart made 23 saves. Karlsson also had an assist. The Hurricanes outplayed the Golden Knights in the period, outshooting Vegas 14-6. But the Golden Knights, according to Natural Stat Trick, had four high-danger chances to three for Carolina. The difference was the Hurricanes took advantage of their chances. Brind'Amour replaced Andersen with Bussi trailing 4-0 after two periods in Game 2 on Saturday, and he saved the first 18 shots he faced as the Hurricanes mounted a furious rally. Bussi failed to save the 19th shot when Theodore knocked the puck off the boards and it bounced off Bussi's skate for a Golden Knights victory. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.