The Carolina Hurricanes are at risk of being down 3-1 in their series against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final. The Hurricanes fell in Game 4 after Frederik Andersen struggled in the second period. Brandon Bussi came into the game and played well in the third period, plus overtime.
Now, the switch to Bussi may be for longer than just the end of Game 3, according to Chris Johnston of The Athletic.
“There’s no sign of Frederik Andersen on the ice for Hurricanes practice. Brandon Bussi is in the starter’s crease at practice,” Johnston posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Andersen has struggled in the series so far. In Game 1, he gave up five goals on just 23 shots, good for only a .783 save percentage. He was not great in Game 2 either, stopping just 23 of 26 shots, but it was still enough to get the win. In Game 3, he faced 16 shots in two periods, allowing four goals. Bussi then came into the game for the third period. He stopped 18 of 19 shots, including a penalty shot that he stopped, allowing the Hurricanes to make the comeback and force two overtimes.
Still, it may not be a done deal that Andersen is heading to the bench, according to hockey insider Elliotte Friedman.
“Hurricanes practising today: William Carrier is out there. Frederik Andersen is not. Told ‘maintenance day,'” Friedman posted.
Prior to playing in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, Bussi had not been on the ice since playing on April 14 against the New York Islanders. Still, his performance in Game 3 could have been inspiring enough to get him the nod in Game 4.
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