The Carolina Hurricanes\u2019 goaltending situation remains one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, with the crease decision for Game 5 carrying major implications as the series returns to Raleigh tied at 2-2.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As first reported by Emily Kaplan of ESPN<\/a>, the Hurricanes made a bold move in Game 4, healthy scratching veteran Frederik Andersen<\/a> in favor of Brandon Bussi<\/a>. Bussi delivered in his first playoff start, helping Carolina even the series with a road victory.\u00a0<\/p>\n Andersen, 36, had been rock-solid through the first three rounds, entering the Final with an incredible 12-1 postseason record while leading the Hurricanes past Ottawa, Philadelphia, and Montreal.<\/p>\n However, the Golden Knights\u2019 heavy forecheck, interior pressure, and ability to force him out of position exposed vulnerabilities in the first three games of the series. His performance dipped noticeably, prompting the coaching staff to make a change. Kaplan\u2019s reporting confirmed the scratch was performance-driven, with no injury concerns.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bussi, 27, emerged as one of the NHL\u2019s feel-good stories in the regular season, posting a 31-6-2 record in 39 appearances.\u00a0The goaltender had seen limited postseason action until the Final but made a strong impression in relief during Game 3, stopping 18 of 19 shots. His Game 4 start and solid outing have now pushed him firmly into the conversation as the legitimate starting goaltender the rest of the way.\u00a0<\/p>\n With the series knotted at 2-2, head coach Rod Brind\u2019Amour<\/a> faces a high-stakes choice between his three goaltenders. With Bussi fresh off a strong relief appearance and a Game 4 win, the younger netminder brings energy, athleticism, and regular-season dominance. Should he turn back to Anderson, the body of work this postseason (despite the series struggles) still commands respect. Then there is Pyotr Kochetkov<\/a> who served as Bussi\u2019s backup in Game 4 despite his own lengthy absence. His availability adds another layer of fluidity, though he remains the long-shot option.\u00a0<\/p>\n