
The Hurricanes head coach is facing an impossible choice.
The Carolina Hurricanes are facing an impossible decision ahead of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final and, unfortunately for Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour, it is a decision that rests entirely on his shoulders.
On Sunday, Brind'Amour spoke to the media and informed members of the press that he would be making no alterations to his lineup for Game 4, with one very notable exception. Brind'Amour would not confirm which of his two goaltenders will get the start in Game 4.
This comes after after Hurricanes backup Brandon Bussi came in and nearly led the Hurricanes to an improbable comeback victory in relief of Frederik Andersen in Game 3, this after the Hurricanes had surrendered a seemingly insurmountable 4-0 lead to the Vegas Golden Knights. Bussi however would stop every shot as the Hurricanes mounted a valiant attempt at a comeback, and it took a very unlucky bounce in double overtime to finally beat Bussi.
Bussi stopped 18 of the 19 shots he faced for a .947 save percentage in that game, a very stark contrast to Andersen who let in 4 goals against just 16 shots for a .750 goals against average.
While it may seem like an easy decision, Andersen was one of the favorites to win the Conn Smythe coming into the Stanley Cup Final for good reason. Andersen was so good for the Hurricanes in the early rounds of the playoffs that even now he boats an impressive 1.89 goals against average and .910 save percentage over 16 playoff games thus far. That being said Andersen has faltered in the first 3 games of this series and that may have now forced Brind'Amour's hand.
There is a strong case to be made to give the nod to either goaltender, which of course will make this decision all the more agonizing for Brind'Amour.
If it were up to you, who would get the start in Game 4 for the Hurricanes?
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Jonathan has been writing for Hockey Feed since it's inception. He began skating almost as soon as he could walk and has been an an avid and lifelong hockey fan ever since.
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