LAS VEGAS — Jordan Staal sat at the podium Sunday night, squeezed between his three young kids and the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Dad’s smile and the silvery hardware made for a delightful scene.

But it was the oldest of the two little blonde girls in the championship hats who stole the show.

As Staal rose from the podium in full gear, ready to rejoin the Stanley Cup celebration unfolding in the dressing room, 11-year-old Abigail raised her hand and grabbed the microphone.

“I have a question — can we go back to the first game?” she asked.

Her father smiled, curious.

“Why did you punch that guy?”

The room erupted in laughter — dad included — as the adorable question perfectly captured the journey.

Two months earlier, before anyone knew the Carolina Hurricanes were about to author one of the most dominant playoff runs in modern history, Staal dropped the gloves with Brady Tkachuk off the opening draw of Game 1.

It sent a message we only now understand: this is finally Carolina’s year.

The Hurricanes won that night, then seven more in a row, eventually finishing a remarkable 16-3 on their way to the Stanley Cup Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena.

During the run, Staal did........

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