Tyler Reddick is making history! Inside his 3-peat and historic start to the season
Fresh off his victory at the Circuit of the Americas, Tyler Reddick joins Kevin Harvick on this week’s Victory Lap to break down his historic third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series win to open the 2026 season. Reddick discusses how he and 23XI Racing have built early season momentum, what has clicked across the organization and how the team has elevated its performance to championship level. He describes his intense battle with road course standout Shane van Gisbergen at COTA, the strategy and execution that helped him secure victory and what it means to become the first Cup driver to win the first three races of a season. Reddick also reflects on his viral 3-peat photo tribute to team owner Michael Jordan, the confidence inside the garage and how this dominant start shapes expectations for the rest of the year.
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The Carolina Hurricanes have tied the Stanley Cup Finals once again thanks to Jordan Staal’s two-goal night in Las Vegas to beat the Golden Knights in Game 4, 5-3.
The series is now tied at 2-2 with Game 5 scheduled to return to Carolina’s Lenovo Center on Thursday to see who will have the advantage in this decisive clash on the ice.
This game didn’t need overtime like the previous two, but it did need someone to break the 3-3 tie going into the third period between these opponents.
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Jordan Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his power play goal with teammates against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period of Game Four of the Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on June 9, 2026. (Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
With 13:39 left in Game 4, Shea Theodore made a disastrous turnover in the Golden Knights’ own zone, and Hurricanes star Seth Jarvis took it off right in front of the net.
Fortunately for Vegas, Carter Harter stopped Jarvis’ backhand, but the threat wasn’t averted yet. Jarvis fought to get the puck back in front, and it ended up shaking the stick of Nikolaj Ehlers, who tried to turn it to Staal.
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Staal lost the edge of his skate, but that didn’t stop him from hitting his own backhand shot at the net. It just trickled past Hart and Staal celebrated while still down on the ice. He became the first player in 44 years to score a goal in each of the first four games of the Stanley Cup Finals.
However, with the way these games have gone, a one-goal lead was not certain. This time, however, the Hurricanes had the defense and timely saves of Brandon Bussi, which head coach Rod Brind’Amour went with over Frederik Anderson, and the decision paid off.
The Golden Knights took 20 shots on goal, with Bussi saving 7 in his first time on the ice for Carolina in this series. And Ehlers sealed the victory when he smartly knocked the puck out of his own zone with an empty net at the other end that went into the net for the 5-3 win.
Jordan Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a goal in the first period against Carter Hart of the Vegas Golden Knights during Game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on June 9, 2026. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Hurricanes also came out roaring in the first period of this one, scoring three goals to the Golden Knights’ one by captain Mark Stone. Logan Stankoven notched his 11th of those shutouts just 1:06 into the game. Jackson Blake quickly followed with a goal assisted by Taylor Hall and Ehlers.
Then Staal’s first goal of the game came 12:48 into the period on a power play. Shayne Gostisbehere ripped a shot on goal and after Hart made the save, Staal was the first to find the puck and a clear shot just in front of the goal.
With a 3-1 lead after the first 20 minutes, the Hurricanes should feel comfortable. But again, no lead is safe, and Vegas reminded them of that in the second period.
Logan Stankoven of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a first period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 9, 2026. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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William Karlsson moved Vegas closer with his third goal of the playoffs, while Brett Howden, adding to his case for the Conn Smythe Trophy, scored his 14th to tie the game at three.
Ultimately, Staal’s heroics for the Hurricanes are why he has a “C” on his sweater.
