The Carolina Hurricanes find themselves at a critical juncture in what has become an increasingly dramatic Stanley Cup Final.
After squandering a two-goal advantage in their opening game loss, the Hurricanes bounced back from a two-goal hole to capture Game 2, then mounted an incredible comeback from four goals down in Game 3, only to fall in double overtime on an unlucky ricochet.
The team has experienced the emotional rollercoaster of an intensely competitive series with the Vegas Golden Knights and enters Tuesday night’s Game 4 with virtually no room for mistakes. Despite all three opening contests being settled by one goal, moral victories mean nothing when facing a 2-1 series hole that must be erased.
“It’s part of the gig, and it’s never easy,” captain Jordan Staal said. “It’s never going to be easy, and we know that and we understand that. We’ve got a bigger hill to climb now, but we’re excited for the challenge and excited to keep playing hard and keep moving forward.”
The Hurricanes confront multiple unresolved issues, particularly the goaltending choice between Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi. Andersen handled all duties through the first 15 playoff contests before being pulled during Saturday’s second intermission while trailing 4-0, and Bussi performed flawlessly in relief until a Shea Theodore shot caromed off the boards and deflected into the net off the goalie’s left skate 5:38 into the second overtime.
Coach Rod Brind’Amour postponed the decision until after Monday’s practice, possibly longer.
“I don’t anticipate a lot of changes to our lineup,” Brind’Amour said on a video call with reporters Sunday. “We’ll see how (Andersen is) feeling. I haven’t made any decisions on the lineup, so I can’t tell you.”
Whether Andersen sustained any injury remained unclear. The 36-year-old Danish netminder wasn’t primarily responsible for surrendering four goals on 16 shots in Game 3.
“You obviously don’t want to give up some of the chances we’ve given up, but overall I thought he’s been fine,” Brind’Amour said. “You ask him to make the saves that he’s got to make, and I think he’s done that. A couple bad bounces, they are what they are. He’s been solid for us, Buss came in and was solid for us, so that’s got to continue.”
A too many men penalty shifted Saturday’s momentum in Vegas, following Brind’Amour’s successful challenges that nullified two Golden Knights goals. Dependable defenseman Sean Walker’s own-goal came at a costly moment, as did fourth-liner William Carrier’s failure to clear their zone.
Mitch Marner capitalized on both mistakes and completed his hat trick plus four-point second period with a breakaway score. Moving forward, preventing Marner from generating premium scoring opportunities will be crucial.
“We have to know when he’s on the ice because that’s kind of how he loves to play,” Brind’Amour said. “If we can eliminate some of those, I call ’em freebies … that’ll definitely help.”
Getting Carrier back would also provide a boost after he sat out the third period and overtime due to an upper-body injury. Brind’Amour offered no update beyond hoping Carrier would be available for Game 4.
Regardless of his status, the Hurricanes face essentially a must-win scenario at the arena on The Strip known as the “Fortress.” Just one team among 39 that has trailed 3-1 in the final has rallied to claim the championship: Toronto in 1942.
Noting his squad is merely a couple of shots from potentially holding a 3-0 series advantage, Brind’Amour isn’t concerned about players fixating on this deficit since they understand how narrow the margins have been.
“I think we can tighten some things up and be a lot better, and I think we’re right there,” veteran winger Jordan Martinook said. “We’ll look at some things and see where we can improve and come back Tuesday ready to try and even this up.”
