RALEIGH, N.C. — When the final buzzer echoed through the arena, signaling Carolina’s long-awaited breakthrough in the Eastern Conference Final, the Hurricanes players rushed across the ice directly to Frederik Andersen’s net.
Veteran forward Jordan Martinook wrapped the goaltender in an emotional embrace, repeatedly patting his helmet. Defenseman Jalen Chatfield followed suit. Then coach Rod Brind’Amour approached for an extended hug and brief conversation, after which Andersen paused to lean forward and gather his composure before participating in the customary handshake line.
The goaltender delivered another solid performance as Carolina dominated Montreal 6-1 on Friday evening in Game 5, propelling the Eastern Conference’s top-seeded team into the Stanley Cup Final against Vegas. The triumph followed a devastating 36-hour period for Andersen, whose representative — former NHL star Claude Lemieux — died by suicide on Thursday.
“It’s been a difficult couple days, but the way we showed up today and the last couple days for the team for each other, it’s been incredible,” Andersen shared during his postgame TNT interview. “I can’t talk enough good things about this team and the way they’ve supported me. It’s been awesome.”
The netminder’s performance has emerged as one of the most compelling narratives in Carolina’s journey back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since capturing the championship in 2006, when current coach Rod Brind’Amour served as team captain. Andersen battled through an uncertain beginning to the season as waiver pickup Brandon Bussi appeared poised to claim the starting position, enjoyed a revitalizing experience representing Denmark in the Milan Cortina Olympics, finished the regular season strong, and has elevated his game to new heights during the playoffs.
The 36-year-old veteran is now making his first-ever Cup Final appearance.
Andersen entered Friday’s contest fresh off his third playoff shutout in Wednesday’s commanding 4-0 victory on the road, as Carolina tightened its stranglehold on the series. That performance came just 48 hours after Lemieux had served as Montreal’s ceremonial torch bearer prior to the Hurricanes’ 3-2 overtime triumph in Game 3.
The goaltender harbored no resentment about Lemieux’s participation in the pregame Montreal tradition for the organization where he captured one of his four Stanley Cup championships as a rookie in 1986.
“He’s like family,” Andersen shared with North State Journal following that game.
By Thursday, reports surfaced regarding Lemieux’s passing, with Andersen scheduled to start as Carolina held a commanding 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven matchup.
“To be honest, wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to play,” Brind’Amour admitted. “You just don’t know how that was going to shake out. Obviously, he shook it off and battled through it. You saw the emotion after the game. Yeah, that’s a tough time for him. But he made us all proud, that’s for sure.”
Andersen recorded 23 saves and, consistent with his entire postseason performance, delivered crucial stops when Carolina needed them most against a talented but desperate Montreal squad. Similar to the previous three victories, the Hurricanes executed their suffocating defensive system effectively, consistently winning puck battles and maintaining pressure in Montreal’s defensive zone rather than surrendering scoring opportunities or allowing shots on Andersen.
The goaltender preserved his shutout deep into the final period before Cole Caufield finally scored on the power play, though Carolina already commanded a 5-0 advantage.
Andersen continues to pace all playoff netminders in goals-against average (1.41) and ranks among the top performers in save percentage (.931).
“I know we were playing for him as best we could,” captain Jordan Staal explained. “And it’s a tough couple of days here for him. We’re just family here, and we all felt that hurt. We tried to share as best we could and playing well in front of him as best we could do tonight.
“I thought he played unbelievable.”
