Brandon Bussi Stops 18 of 19 in Playoff Debut as Hurricanes Weigh Game 4 Starter

Q: Should Carolina start the hot-hand rookie or the proven veteran goalie in the pivotal Game 4?

Carolina should start Brandon Bussi in Game 4, unless Frederik Andersen is unquestionably back to full sharpness after the head contact. The case is straightforward. Andersen has been Carolina’s playoff backbone overall, with a 12-1 record, .931 save percentage and three shutouts before this recent dip. But in this Final, the trend is troubling: 12 goals allowed on 65 shots against Vegas, an .815 save percentage, and he was pulled in Game 3 after surrendering four goals on 16 shots. Even if Brind’Amour says Andersen is “fine,” the combination of a head hit, a maintenance day and visible struggles makes this a risky spot to force the veteran back in. Bussi gave Carolina exactly what it needed in relief. In his Stanley Cup playoff debut, after not playing since April 14, he stopped 18 of 19 shots over the third period and two overtimes, including a penalty-shot save on Mitch Marner. Teammates praised his calm, and the only puck that beat him was a fluky double-overtime winner. Just as important, Bussi’s regular-season body of work was credible: 31 wins, a 2.47 goals-against average and roughly a .895 save percentage. This is not a permanent changing of the guard. It is a one-game decision in a series Carolina trails 2-1. In that context, the fresher goalie with the better recent form is the smarter play. If Bussi falters, Andersen remains available. Right now, Bussi gives Carolina the better chance to reset the series.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 8

18 saves on 19 shots defined Brandon Bussi’s Stanley Cup playoff debut after Carolina pulled Frederik Andersen in Game 3; the 27-year-old entered cold and carried the Hurricanes through the third period and two overtimes.
Andersen skipped Monday’s practice for a maintenance day after taking Ivan Barbashev contact to the head, but coach Rod Brind’Amour said he is fine and declined to reveal Tuesday’s Game 4 starter.
One goal beat Bussi — Shea Theodore’s double-overtime winner that caromed off the end boards, then off Bussi’s skate — after Carolina had erased a four-goal deficit in a chaotic Game 3.
Mitch Marner remains Carolina’s biggest problem after a natural hat trick and four-point night in Game 3, giving him seven points in the final and strengthening his Conn Smythe case.
Carolina says it can handle the series’ wild swings, using two off days to reset in Las Vegas before Game 4 as it tries to contain Marner and level the final.