Hurricanes Goalie Dilemma: Who Starts in Game 4 on Tuesday?

The Carolina Hurricanes in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final have brought the drama through the first three games. They came back from down 2-0 in Game 2 to win 4-3 in overtime, then followed that up by erasing a four-goal deficit, but came up short in Game 3, losing 5-4 in double overtime. Through all of that double-overtime thriller in Game 3 on Saturday night (June 6), an interesting storyline has developed that could impact Game 4 on Tuesday (June 9). The Hurricanes have a decision to make: who will start in the crease for Game 4?

Frederik Andersen or Brandon Bussi for Game 4?

For the first time in the playoffs, Frederik Andersen did not finish a game. He was pulled after the second period, when he gave up four goals on 16 shots. Andersen finished with a .750 save percentage (SV%) in probably his worst game of the postseason. However, all four goals weren’t on Andersen, as he was left out to dry once again due to defensive breakdowns and turnovers in the Hurricanes’ zone. The lack of breakout passes and tough clears gave the Vegas Golden Knights multiple chances, along with countless high-danger breakaways.

Following their Game 1 loss, Sean Walker stated, when asked about what the team can do better defensively, “I think just some of the things, execution-wise, we can get a better job of. Key points: breaking out the puck; most of their goals were being scored from the inner slot. A lot of quick plays; that’s something we’ll be looking to shut down next game, for sure.”

Unfortunately, Andersen did not have the night he wanted and was pulled for the first time in the playoffs. The Hurricanes decided to switch to Brandon Bussi, who had not played in almost two months since the end of the regular season. He made his Stanley Cup Final and playoff debut with a 4-0 deficit and a team that looked lost at times. One of his first tasks was to stop Mitch Marner, who had already tallied four points, including a natural hat trick, on a penalty shot. He ended up making the save, keeping it a four-goal game.

Following the huge save, the Hurricanes ripped off four goals in the third period to force overtime. Three of those goals came within 39 seconds to draw it back to a one-goal game. Unfortunately, the comeback could not be completed. Despite that, Bussi held his own in the crease in his first-ever Stanley Cup Final game. He managed to end the night with a 1.32 goals-against average (GAA) and a .947 SV% in an 18-save effort. It seemed that once Bussi got in the crease and made a couple of crucial saves to not let the game get too out of hand, the guys in front of him played better.

During the postgame, when asked about going to Bussi, Rod Brind’Amour stated, “I mean, he played well. There was no reason to leave Freddie in there the way that game was going. Gave us a little boost. Made a great save on Marner there and gave us a chance. Tough, tough break. I hate it for him because he was playing great. It’s hockey.”

Brind’Amour later on followed up when asked if Bussi could start in Game 4, “We’ll figure all that out later. We have a couple days to reassess how we’re going to go about the next game. But I give him credit for coming in. He played well. Like I said, I hate that that’s the goal that ends it, because there’s nothing he could do. It’s just a bad break. But he was great.”

Bussi finished the regular season with a 31-6-2 record alongside a 2.47 GAA and a .895 SV%, along with two shutouts and an assist. Regarding SV% for the Hurricanes in the regular season, it’s more of a context stat given their low shots allowed per game. When it comes down to it, who knows how the Hurricanes’ season goes if Bussi doesn’t come out of nowhere to win 31 games in his first full NHL season.

Regarding Andersen, while his regular season was his worst statistically, he’s been one of the main reasons the Hurricanes have made it to the Stanley Cup Final. He has a 13-2 record with a 1.89 GAA and a .910 SV% with three shutouts. It’s tough to make a switch like that, especially with how Andersen helped get the Hurricanes here. Plus, three games in five days is a tough stretch for anyone; both teams looked gassed towards the end of Game 3.

Bussi mentioned when asked if he will be ready to go for Game 4 if he’s called upon, “Absolutely. That’s not my call though. Fred’s the reason why we’re here right now. If they tell me I’m going, great. If not, I’ll be ready.”

There are a couple of days between Games 3 and 4, so that’s why the Hurricanes aren’t certain who they will turn to for Game 4 between Andersen and Bussi. Bussi played great in his 45:26 of relief in Game 3, holding the Hurricanes through the third period and almost two overtimes. Andersen has played 1,014:18 after 16 starts. One thing is for certain: there is no envy for Brind’Amour and his staff to figure out who they’ll choose to start Game 4 on Tuesday. Do they go back to Andersen, who has been a pivotal part of the Stanley Cup Final run, or go to Bussi, who secured 31 wins in the regular season and had a solid Game 3 in relief?