RALEIGH, N.C. — If you’re not watching, you’re missing out.
If you haven’t kept up with this Stanley Cup Final series, ditto.
That’s how entertaining the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes have made things, how exciting the back-and-forth action has been, how dramatic the results have proven.
The series is tied at two games apiece as Game 5 is set to take place at Lenovo Center on Thursday night.
It will be rocking. Carolina has some of the loudest fans in the NHL, something the Knights learned in gaining a split over the opening two games.
There have been mistakes by both sides. Costly turnovers.
Shots that should have been saved.
But you can’t beat how things have played out, the shifts of scoring, the blown leads, the comebacks, the overtimes.
The first three games were decided by a goal and the fourth by two scores, although Carolina’s final tally in the latter came via an empty net.
Lots of bounces
“Just a veteran presence helps us,” Knights defenseman Shea Theodore said. “We have a lot of guys who have gone on long playoff runs, and this is similar. We’ve had some tough series this year in some really tough buildings. We’re just looking forward to getting back at it.”
Said defenseman Rasmus Andersson: “Just two good teams playing a little desperately. Lots of bounces and things like that. Lots of goals.”
Which means lots of excitement.
How close is it?
Vegas is outscoring Carolina 14-12 in 5-on-5.
The Hurricanes, meanwhile, only allowed 13 goals in such a scenario over the first three rounds of the playoffs.
This was supposed to be a highly defensive series where scoring came at a minimum. But, and this is good for fans and those millions of watching on television, it has been the opposite.
So much for interest being down as two non-traditional hockey markets battle it out. The ratings are off the charts.
See what lots of scoring can do?
The 33 goals between the teams are the most through four games of a Cup final since 1981. Yeah. That long ago.
“Talk about the highs and lows,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “It’s just a very unpredictable (series) and things are happening that I haven’t seen in succession. It’s just been crazy.”
For the Knights, forward Mitch Marner continues his quest for the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the league’s best player throughout the playoffs.
For the Hurricanes, center Jordan Staal has been a pain in the neck for Vegas in front of the net. Big and strong and a veteran at age 37, Staal has been tough to move.
He has seven goals in the playoffs, including five in the Cup final.
“It’s a wild ride, isn’t it?” Staal said. “Lots of emotion. Lots of ups and downs.”
One thing that could favor the Knights over the remainder of the series is to get center Jack Eichel going. His top line might be creating some opportunities, but many aren’t ending up in the back of the net.
“I know Jack doesn’t have the goals, but he was close in (Game 4),” Knights coach John Tortorella said. “He had the game on his stick off a face off and just missed it by hitting the crossbar on a one-timer. I think that (line) is developing chances. I just think we need to finish.”
Doing their part
They’ll need to Thursday night to have a chance at going back home for Game 6 with an opportunity to win the franchise’s second Cup in nine seasons.
That’s what they’re playing for. That’s what has been on the line this entire time.
And if you’re not watching, you’re missing out.
We’re talking about one of the most entertaining Stanley Cup Finals in decades.
Be sure of this: While hardly perfect, Vegas and Carolina are holding up their end.
I’m just not sure they’re always fans of the roller-coaster that has been this series.
But you should be.
Ed Graney, a Sigma Delta Chi Award winner for sports column writing, can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.
