The Vegas Golden Knights had fought back in the second period to tie Game 4 at 3-3 and had a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead if they won the third period.
Instead, they gave up a second goal by Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal and lost 5-3 as the best-of-seven series returns to North Carolina tied at two games apiece.
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“The frustrating part for me is they didn’t earn their winning goal,” Golden Knights coach John Tortorella told reporters on Tuesday, June 9.
He was referring to a bad turnover that led to a Seth Jarvis chance in front that was stopped by Carter Hart.
“Right after that, we make another mistake,” he said. “We leave the front of the net.”
The Hurricanes retrieved the puck, which eventually went to Staal, who scored while falling down.
“It’s just for free,” Tortorella said. “It’s a hard one for me in the third period.”
Even though the Golden Knights had rallied, there were problems earlier in the game. They gave up two goals in the first five minutes. They took a penalty for too many men on the ice and Staal scored on a rebound in the crease.
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“We have him, but then we let him off the hook,” the coach said. “He’s killing us in front of the net. We have to do a better job around the blue.”
Tortorella liked the team’s late press, “but we don’t get it done.”
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) faceoff during the first period in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) faceoff during the first period in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) celebrates scoring during the first period against the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Overview of the stadium prior to the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
General view of towels for fans on the seats prior to the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) stands in the hallway prior to entering the ice for warm up against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
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Golden Knights and Hurricanes skate for 2026 Stanley Cup glory
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Seth Jarvis (24) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights in game one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center in Raleigh on June 2, 2026.
(James Guillory, Imagn Images)
Now the series is a best-of-three, with the Hurricanes regaining home-ice advantage.
“We need to flush it and get ready for the next game,” Tortorella said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Tortorella: Hurricanes ‘didn’t earn their winning goal’
