Hurricanes’ Coach Rod Brind’Amour Doesn’t Rule Out Frederik Andersen Starting Game 6 The Carolina Hurricanes, for the first time in two decades, have reached the Stanley Cup Final, holding a 3-2 series lead over the Vegas Golden Knights. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour hinted that Frederik Andersen, the team’s starting goaltender, could return to the net for Game 6 of the series, which is set for Sunday at 8:00 p.m. ET. Despite a mid-series switch to backup goaltender Brandon Bussi, the Hurricanes have rebounded to take control of the matchup. The pivotal change occurred midway through Game 3, when Brind’Amour replaced Andersen with Bussi after the Hurricanes trailed 2-1 in the second period. The decision paid off as Bussi led the team to consecutive victories, including a 4-3 overtime win in Game 5. However, Brind’Amour acknowledged that Andersen’s return remains a possibility, emphasizing the team’s flexibility in its goaltending options. “Maybe. We will just kind of see,” Brind’Amour said in a statement to NHL.com. “I know he’s available. Whether we decide to have him serve as backup or keep it the same or play him, we’re going to make that decision. It’s nice to have everyone available.” Bussi, who hadn’t played since mid-April, faced immediate pressure to adapt to the high-stakes environment of the Stanley Cup Final. Brind’Amour praised Bussi’s preparation, noting that the goaltender’s readiness to step in was a key factor in the Hurricanes’ turnaround. “It might be easier for a goalie sometimes,” Brind’Amour explained. “For a skater, the timing and getting up and down the ice, there’s a million things going on, but a goalie has just got to stop the puck. If you put in the work like he has—he’s been keeping himself ready—it might not be that big of an adjustment.#stanley_cup_final #carolina_hurricanes #frederik_andersen #brandon_bussi #rod_brindamour
Hurricanes Scratch Frederik Andersen, Start Brandon Bussi The Carolina Hurricanes made a strategic shift in their goaltending approach for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, moving starter Frederik Andersen to the bench and giving the starting role to Brandon Bussi. The decision came as the Hurricanes trailed the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Andersen, who had been the team’s primary goaltender throughout the playoffs, was left out of the lineup, while Bussi, the team’s regular-season starter, took the ice for the critical matchup. Pyotr Kochetkov served as Bussi’s backup for the game. Andersen had been the Hurricanes’ workhorse in the postseason, starting all 16 games of their playoff run. However, his performance in Game 3 had raised concerns. The 34-year-old netminder was pulled after two periods, having allowed four goals on 16 shots. Bussi entered the game in the third period and made 18 of 19 saves, including a crucial stop on a penalty shot from playoffs leading scorer Mitch Marner. Despite Bussi’s efforts, the Hurricanes ultimately lost when a shot from Vegas forward Shea Theodore deflected off Bussi’s pads and into the net. Bussi expressed confidence in his readiness for the role, stating, “Fred’s the reason why we’re here right now. So if they tell me I’m going, great. If not, I’ll be ready.” He emphasized his willingness to step in if needed, calling the opportunity to play in such a high-stakes game a “moment you want to be playing in.” Coach Rod Brind’Amour downplayed rumors that Andersen might be injured, dismissing speculation about a goaltender interference incident in Game 3.#carolina_hurricanes #frederik_andersen #vegas_golden_knights #rod_brind_amour #brandon_bussi
