The Vegas Golden Knights enter Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final with the opportunity to move ahead 3-1 in the best-of-seven series against the Carolina Hurricanes, with the matchup scheduled for Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena at 8 p.m. ET.
Historically, teams that build a 3-1 advantage in the Final have almost always gone on to win, holding a 38-1 record (.974). When the team reaching that position begins the series on the road, the record stands at 10-1 (.909).
The only instance of a comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the Final came in 1942, when the Toronto Maple Leafs recovered from an even deeper 3-0 hole to win the championship.
Vegas reaction after dramatic game 3 collapse
Game 3 delivered a major swing, as Vegas surrendered a 4-0 lead in the third period and allowed three goals in just 39 seconds, marking the third time in the series they lost a third-period advantage.
Despite that collapse, the Golden Knights emphasized that they did not feel their overall play was poor, aside from that short stretch.
“There are always things you can tighten up, but I didn’t think we were playing that poorly in the third period of the game. We had a bad (39) seconds, really. I thought overall we were playing great until that point. They made a couple of plays,” Mark Stone said.
Stone added that the group believes in learning from those moments and maintaining focus without overreacting, stressing that adjustments come from correcting specific mistakes rather than overhauling their approach.
Swings across the first three games
The series has already featured multiple momentum shifts. In Game 1, Vegas took a 4-3 lead early in the third period through Brett Howden before Carolina equalized via Shayne Gostisbehere. The Golden Knights ultimately reclaimed the lead through Tomas Hertl at 16:36 to win the game.
Game 2 saw Carolina erase a 2-0 deficit by scoring three consecutive goals to lead 3-2 in the third period. Vegas responded through Mark Stone’s late equalizer at 18:39, but Seth Jarvis secured the win for Carolina in overtime on a power play.
Game 3 then added another dramatic turnaround, with Vegas losing a four-goal advantage in the final period, reinforcing how quickly momentum has shifted throughout the series.
Mentality, experience and home-ice outlook
Carolina defenseman Dylan Coghlan described Game 4 as pivotal, noting that the result would determine whether the series is tied or sees Vegas move one win away from control. He emphasized both teams likely entering with strong urgency.
Vegas forward Nic Dowd highlighted the importance of capitalizing on momentum opportunities during the playoffs while acknowledging how quickly games can shift.
“I think this is the most important game. It’s either going to be 2-2 or 3-1. That’s a pretty big swing, so I think both teams are going to have their best game tomorrow,” Coghlan said.
The Golden Knights have also leaned on their playoff experience, with several players from their 2023 championship team still on the roster, including Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, William Karlsson, Shea Theodore, and Brayden McNabb. Coach John Tortorella pointed to the group’s composure after the Game 3 swing, noting their lack of panic and mental strength.
Vegas has performed strongly at home this postseason with a 7-2 record at T-Mobile Arena, alongside a 7-3 mark on the road, and they view Game 4 as a key chance to make use of their home schedule in the series.