Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup Final Gameday Preview: Game 4 vs. Hurricanes

Welcome to another Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final Gameday Preview! Wow, what a Stanley Cup Final this has been so far! Each game has been decided by one goal. Two of the three have gone to overtime, with one going to double overtime. Multiple-goal deficits have been erased in each game. We are seeing just about everything! It is fair to say, expect the unexpected.

The Golden Knights look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in Game 4. The Carolina Hurricanes look to even things up as the series heads back to Raleigh. It is a pivotal Game 4, with much on the line.

Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup Final Gameday Preview: Game 4 vs. Hurricanes (Vegas Leads 2-1)

Game 3 may have been the most chaotic game in recent Final history. The Golden Knights got out to a 4-0 lead in the second period, with Mitch Marner recording the fastest hat trick in Final history, scoring three goals in the span of 6:10. The goal barrage chased goaltender Frederik Andersen from the game. However, the Hurricanes rallied to tie the game in the third period, with backup goalie Brandon Bussi looking strong in relief of Andersen.

The Golden Knights were on the verge of losing another lead and falling behind in the series, but they caught a break in double overtime. Shea Theodore‘s shot hit the end boards and bounced off Bussi into the net, giving the Golden Knights a win they almost let slip through their fingers.

Game 4 Projected Lineup (Subject to Change)

• Ivan Barbashev – Jack Eichel – Pavel Dorofeyev
• Brett Howden – William Karlsson – Mitch Marner
• Tomas Hertl – Colton Sissons – Mark Stone
• Cole Smith – Nic Dowd – Keegan Kolesar
• Brayden McNabb – Shea Theodore
• Noah Hanifin – Rasmus Andersson
• Jeremy Lauzon – Dylan Coghlan
• Carter Hart/Adin Hill

Team Leaders

Marner leads the Golden Knights in points (28) and plus/minus (plus-16). Furthermore, he is tied with Eichel for the lead in assists with 18. Howden continues to lead the team in goals with 13. Lastly, Smith leads in penalty minutes with 24.

Between the pipes, Hart remains the only Vegas goaltender to see action in the postseason. He has recorded 14 wins and has posted a 2.44 goals-against average (GAA) and a .915 save percentage (SV%).

Storyline #1 – Play a Full 60

Up until this series, the Golden Knights have played a full 60-minute game (or longer if overtime was needed). However, the team has let off the gas a few times in the series. They had a sluggish start to Game 1, falling behind 2-0 before rallying to win. In Game 2, they failed to hold a 2-0 lead, losing in overtime. Then, in Game 3, a 4-0 lead vanished quickly, with the Hurricanes scoring their first three goals in the span of 39 seconds to climb back into the game.

It appears no lead is safe in this series. To win the series, the Golden Knights have to play a full 60 minutes. They cannot afford stretches like the third period of Game 3. They are just two wins away from winning the Stanley Cup. Now is not the time to take the foot off the pedal. The Golden Knights have won two games in the series despite not playing their best. Imagine what can happen if they pull together for a full 60?

Storyline #2 – The Goaltending Battle

Both Hart and Andersen came into the series playing great hockey. However, both have struggled through the first three games. Both have given up 12 goals, with Andersen getting pulled in Game 3. Bussi has been the best goaltender in the series, with questions raised as to whether he should start Game 3 for Carolina.

This series could come down to which goalie can be “good enough.” We talked about this with Hart during Round 1. He does not have to be spectacular; he just needs to keep Vegas in the game. To his credit, he has done so, but the Golden Knights need a little more.

Storyline #3 – Special Teams

The Golden Knights have only scored one power-play goal in the series. Their penalty kill has given up three goals in the series. Special teams have been an asset in the postseason, but they have struggled somewhat in the Final. The Golden Knights have the playmakers to make their special teams a force in this series. We have seen it already in the postseason, with both the power-play and shorthanded unit finding the back of the net.

This storyline ties into the first one about playing a hard 60. If the Golden Knights can get their special teams going, it will help them gain better control of each game. An additional power-play goal or two, along with killed penalties, could become the difference in the Golden Knights ending this series sooner rather than later.

How to Watch

Game 4 starts at 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time. It can be viewed on ABC.

At least, we have two games left in the hockey season. At most, we have four left. We are approaching the end of the 2025-26 season, so be sure to tune in and enjoy the final games before we crown a champion. As always, be sure to check in with The Hockey Writers for Stanley Cup Final coverage.