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Bussi Starts Game 5 as Hurricanes Tie Stanley Cup Series

6/12/2026

Summary

Bussi Starts Game5

Goaltender Brandon Bussi will start for the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 11, 2026, with the series tied 2-2.
After Bussi’s first playoff win—18 saves in a 5-3 Game 4 victory—coach Rod Brind’Amour, citing coach Paul Schonfelder, kept him as starter and named backup Pyotr Kochetkov, while Frederik Andersen will sit.
The Hurricanes recalled Amir Miftakhov from Chicago for depth, and Game 5 is set to begin after 8:00 p.m. ET.

Summary

Bussi Starts

Goaltending coach Paul Schonfelder told head coach Rod Brind’Amour that Frederik Andersen needed a break, prompting the decision to start rookie Brandon Bussi.
Brandon Bussi, a native of Sound Beach, New York, embraced the spotlight in his first NHL start.
Nikolaj Ehlers praised Bussi’s daily work ethic and smile.
Jordan Martinook said Bussi’s confidence lifts the locker-room atmosphere.

Summary

Brind’Amour Sets Lineup

Rod Brind’Amour projected a line of Nikolaj Ehlers, Jordan Staal and Jordan Jarvis for Game 5.
Aho, Svechnikov and Martinook are the second line, Hall, Stankoven and Jankowski the third, and Slavin, Chatfield, Miller and Walker the defense.
Power-play unit 1 (Aho, Ehlers, Jarvis, Svechnikov, Gostisbehere) and unit 2 (Hall, Jankowski, Stankoven, Nikishin) will operate as Staal takes face-offs and stays on ice, with team listing no injuries and scratching Deslauriers, Kotkaniemi and Reilly.

History

Historical Context

The Carolina Hurricanes have a history of trusting rookie goaltenders in decisive games—Cam Ward started Game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final, posting 33 saves with a .923 save percentage under coach Peter Laviolette. That precedent of youthful netminder reliance shapes the team’s modern playoff strategy and roster planning for future seasons.

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Bussi Starts Game5

Goaltender Brandon Bussi will start for the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 11, 2026, with the series tied 2-2.
After Bussi’s first playoff win—18 saves in a 5-3 Game 4 victory—coach Rod Brind’Amour, citing coach Paul Schonfelder, kept him as starter and named backup Pyotr Kochetkov, while Frederik Andersen will sit.
The Hurricanes recalled Amir Miftakhov from Chicago for depth, and Game 5 is set to begin after 8:00 p.m. ET.

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