Staal’s latest goal—a net-front equalizer to make it 1-1 for the Hurricanes in the first—made him the fifth player in NHL history (and the first in 53 years) to record a goal streak of five or more games at any point in a Stanley Cup Final. His five-game goal streak ties the NHL record for the longest to open a Cup Final in NHL history.
“It’s massive, it’s massive, right?” head coach Rod Brind’Amour said postgame. “We’re not necessarily expecting him to put up those kinds of numbers, and when he does, it’s an added bonus. He deserves it, he’s playing great.”
With at least one game remaining in the Final, Staal is now two goals shy of tying the most by any player at age 37 or older in a single postseason: Corey Perry (10 in 2025) and Brett Hull (10 in 2002). With the way Staal has dominated Vegas in front of the net, he very well may add this accolade to his growing list of accomplishments in this Cup Final.
“The playoffs, until you’ve done it, been through it, and actually lived it, (you don’t know how much of a grind it is),” Brind’Amour said. “…To do that at his age just says a lot about him. He’s our guy, and he’s our warrior, and I’m just really happy for him.”
