Bussi starts – Carolina turns to Brandon Bussi for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final after Frederik Andersen is listed as a scratch at T-Mobile Arena. Pyotr Kochetkov is the backup, and Bussi’s first start since mid-April comes after a Game 3 relief appearance that kept hopes
By the time the Carolina Hurricanes walked onto the ice for Game 4, the goalie picture had already shifted.
Brandon Bussi is set to start in the Hurricanes’ net against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final. Frederik Andersen is not on the ice at T-Mobile Arena and is listed as a scratch, with Pyotr Kochetkov serving as the backup.
The change comes with Andersen’s availability suddenly in focus. Andersen did not take part in practice on Monday, and coach Rod Brind’Amour described it as a maintenance day. Brind’Amour did not spell out who the starter would be after Monday’s practice. and he kept the decision under wraps again during Tuesday’s pregame news conference. There was also no morning skate on Tuesday.
The last time Andersen was clearly driving Carolina’s postseason run was throughout the playoffs, before he was forced out of Game 3.
In Game 3, Andersen started and was pulled after two periods while Carolina trailed 4-0. Bussi came in and stopped 18 of 19 shots, including Mitch Marner’s penalty shot, in a 5-4 double-overtime loss. It was a brief. high-leverage window for Bussi—one that looked like it could have been an accident of timing. but instead became the template for how Carolina needed to respond.
The Gamescape now turns on the question Carolina will face with Bussi at full responsibility: can the momentum from that relief effort carry forward as the series reaches Game 4?
Bussi’s start is his first since mid-April. Game 3 was also his first action of the playoffs. In the regular season, he posted 31 wins.
Carolina and Vegas also bring a wrinkle that fans will notice even if coaches don’t: Bussi catches right-handed, while Andersen catches left.
Vegas coach John Tortorella made clear his team isn’t fixated on the matchup details. “We don’t care who’s playing, what hand, what feet, we’re just going to play,” Tortorella told reporters.
The sequence of the last few days has been tight and revealing: Andersen skipped Monday practice. was listed as a scratch by Game 4. and Carolina kept its starter closed off through multiple checkpoints—practice. pregame. and the absence of a Tuesday morning skate. With Andersen’s playoff workload already established and then interrupted in Game 3. Bussi’s first start since mid-April lands at the exact moment when a one-goalie decision can tilt the entire series.
With Game 4 underway, the Hurricanes’ season doesn’t wait for clarity on Andersen’s maintenance. It demands a response from Bussi—and, for Vegas, a plan that doesn’t change just because the gloves and net-cam angles do.
Carolina Hurricanes Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final Brandon Bussi Frederik Andersen Pyotr Kochetkov Game 4 T-Mobile Arena Rod Brind'Amour
So Andersen is scratched? That feels like a big deal, like why wouldn’t he just be there.
I don’t get it, they said “maintenance day” like that means he’s fine? And then he’s a scratch at the arena… seems messed up.
Wait Bussi is starting again after Game 3 but Carolina still lost 5-4 right? So like… are they trying to win with vibes or what. Also Marner?? I thought that’s not even a Hurricanes player lol.
Game 3 Andersen got pulled after they were down 4-0 and Bussi “stopped 18 of 19” so everybody acts like it’s gonna magically carry into Game 4. But goalie changes don’t fix defense. Vegas is gonna keep peppering him anyway. Also no morning skate on Tuesday sounds suspicious like they’re hiding something.