Story perspectives

Hurricanes Pull Starter; Backup Bussi Nets Game 4 OT Winner

6/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes coach, has not disclosed the starter for Game 4 in Las Vegas, with the series at 2-1 to Vegas.
He pulled starter Andersen, who missed Monday’s practice, after Andersen allowed four goals on 16 shots in Game 3.
Backup Bussi entered the third period, made 18 saves on 19 shots and stopped Marner’s penalty shot.
The overtime winner came on a rebound off Bussi’s skate after a Shea Theodore shot.

History

Historical Context

In the 1999 NHL playoffs, Detroit Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman famously pulled starter Chris Osgood after a four-goal third period against the Colorado Avalanche. Osgood had surrendered four goals on 15 shots, prompting Bowman to insert veteran backup Mike Vernon, who posted a 1.85 goals-against average across the series. That decisive goaltender switch mirrors today’s Carolina Hurricanes decision to replace Andrei Andersen with backup Alex Bussi after Andersen yielded four goals on sixteen shots in Game 3. The pattern underscores how mid-series goalie changes can shift momentum, prompting teams to reassess starter reliability in future playoff strategies.

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Story summary

Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes coach, has not disclosed the starter for Game 4 in Las Vegas, with the series at 2-1 to Vegas.
He pulled starter Andersen, who missed Monday’s practice, after Andersen allowed four goals on 16 shots in Game 3.
Backup Bussi entered the third period, made 18 saves on 19 shots and stopped Marner’s penalty shot.
The overtime winner came on a rebound off Bussi’s skate after a Shea Theodore shot.

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