Updated

Updated · ESPN · Jun 7

Hurricanes Weigh Game 4 Goalie After 2-1 Final Deficit as Andersen Posts .815 Save Rate

Updated

Updated · ESPN · Jun 7

Hurricanes Weigh Game 4 Goalie After 2-1 Final Deficit as Andersen Posts .815 Save Rate

Q: Will Carolina bet on Freddie Andersen’s veteran legacy or Brandon Bussi’s hot hand?

Carolina looks more likely to turn to Brandon Bussi for Game 4, even if Rod Brind’Amour has not said so publicly. The case for Andersen is his body of work. Before the Final, he was the backbone of Carolina’s run, going 12-1 with a 1.41 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. Brind’Amour has also defended him, arguing the Hurricanes’ defensive breakdowns left him exposed and stressing that Andersen is “the reason why we’re here.” But the immediate numbers are hard to ignore. Andersen has allowed 12 goals on 65 shots against Vegas, an .815 save percentage, and was pulled in Game 3 after four goals on 16 shots. His play has dipped sharply since the Eastern Conference final, and Carolina cannot afford another slow start while trailing 2-1 in the series. Bussi gave Carolina a strong argument for change. In relief in Game 3, he stopped 18 of 19 shots, denied a penalty shot, and helped stabilize the game long enough for the Hurricanes to mount a comeback. Teammates praised his poise, and his regular-season record — 31-6-2 in 39 games — shows this was not a one-off performance. Brind’Amour’s public comments suggest he still values Andersen’s experience, but the practical hockey decision points to Bussi. In an elimination-avoidance game, coaches usually prioritize current form over résumé. Unless Monday’s practice strongly reassured Carolina about Andersen, Bussi’s recent play gives the Hurricanes their best chance at a reset.

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 7

Carolina has not decided its Game 4 lineup, with Rod Brind'Amour saying he expects few changes but will wait until Monday's practice before choosing a starting goalie.
Freddie Andersen was pulled after allowing 4 goals on 16 shots in Game 3, leaving him with a .815 save percentage against Vegas and a minus-2.13 goals-saved-above-expected mark Saturday.
Brandon Bussi then stopped 18 of 19 shots in his first appearance since April 14 before Carolina lost in double overtime on a strange end-board bounce off a Shea Theodore shot.
Andersen's playoff form has dropped sharply from a .950 save percentage in first-round sweeps of Ottawa and Philadelphia to .856 since the Eastern Conference finals, though Brind'Amour said he has still been solid.
Game 4 is Tuesday, with Carolina trailing 2-1 but Brind'Amour arguing the Hurricanes were one shot away in two games from leading the Stanley Cup Final 3-0.