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
Oilers expect Leon Draisaitl to miss rest of regular season Edmonton Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl, who has 97 points in 65 games, is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury, the team announced Tuesday. The injury occurred during a hard hit from Nashville’s Ozzy Wiesblatt in the first period of Sunday’s game, which the Oilers won. Draisaitl returned for a few shifts before exiting the game for the start of the second period. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch provided updates on the injury, stating that medical staff indicated it “shouldn’t be a really long injury.” He added, “No immediate red flags,” though he noted that the team would wait for further details. Draisaitl, 30, has 35 goals and 62 assists this season, making him one of the league’s top performers. The Oilers, currently seventh in the Western Conference, are just two points behind fourth-place Anaheim with 14 games remaining in the regular season. Draisaitl’s absence will likely impact the team’s offensive output, as he has been a key contributor to their success. Jason Dickinson is expected to step in as the second-line center while Draisaitl is sidelined. Draisaitl’s career highlights include winning the Hart Trophy as MVP in 2020 and finishing as the runner-up in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final with the Oilers. His absence will test the team’s depth, particularly in a competitive playoff race. The Associated Press contributed to this report.#edmonton_oilers #leon_draisaitl #ozzy_wiesblatt #kris_knoblauch #stanley_cup_final
