"The Bus Driver": 2025-26 Regular Season, Game 25: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Calgary Flames

It was a welcome sight seeing the captain back in the lineup after three games away, but the real story when the Canes hit the ice on Sunday night was who led them out for warm-ups. Brandon Bussi has been the team's most consistent goalie this season, which is an objectively wild statement. Earning his sixth win of the season on Friday, Bussi earned a chance to take the net in consecutive games for the first time. Against a Flames team struggling this season but finding its stride lately, it would be an interesting and earned chance for him to make a statement.

Scoring Summary

1st Period

None

2nd Period

None

3rd Period

None

Overtime

CAR (2:52)- Nikolaj Ehlers (5) (Taylor Hall (8) & Sean Walker (5))

My Thoughts

The story of Brandon Bussi continues to write new and exciting chapters with each start. He helped the group keep its head above water before they poured it on against the Jets on Friday night. On Sunday, he might've stolen the entire game for them. It's wild that he has made as many stops in two games (27) as most goalies make in entire games. Still, a shutout is a shutout, no matter how many shots you face. There wasn't a ton going on for either team all night, but when the Flames did get a scoring chance, it was usually a very good one. There was Blake Coleman's 2-on-1 in the first, Morgan Frost on a 2-on-1 in the third, and a breakaway stop on Matt Coronato in the third as well that really stood out. He did get a little help from the iron when Coronato rang the blocker-side post, but Bussi earned his bounces tonight. I see no reason to stray from him in Pyotr Kochetkov's absence, seeing as I have more confidence in him right now than Frederik Andersen.

While chances for Calgary were few and far between tonight, the same could be said for the Hurricanes. There were some Grade As, but not many. Nikolaj Ehlers was one of the team's best at 5-on-5 tonight, which is hard to gauge using normal statistics. He only had two shots in the game, which were tied for the game-high, but he made the second one count. Ehlers made a subtle play on the goal, skating through the neutral zone with speed but holding up a little to allow Taylor Hall to stay onside. From there, it was a give-and-go executed to perfection. Ehlers worked to outmuscle Nazem Kadri as he skated to the net, getting his stick free to finish the play. Devin Cooley had been great, but there was no stopping this one. 

It's not often that the Caniacs voice their displeasure with the home team. Tonight, you could sense the restlessness in the arena through the television, and I don't blame them. I'm usually cool as a cucumber while watching, but I found myself voicing my opinion to a screen that couldn't respond. The Hurricanes passed the puck way too much in an effort to find the perfect play. It's part of what makes the power play a chore to sit through at times. This team is at its best when throwing everything it can at the net. They just weren't doing it tonight, making life for the Flames a lot easier than it needed to be. To the Flames' credit, they played a very good road game and ensured a point out of their visit. The Canes pulled it out, but I would appreciate it if they didn't make a habit of this.

All in all, it was another good month for the Hurricanes. With tonight's win, they finish November atop the Metropolitan Division and tied at the top of the Eastern Conference with 34 points. Granted, their division lead is razor-thin, with New Jersey just one back, Washington two back, and Philadelphia three back. At 9-4-2, the team tied for the 5th-best points percentage this month with the Capitals. It was a bit uneven at times, but these last two games have felt like the group getting back to normal. They've made plenty of mistakes, though Winnipeg and Calgary didn't capitalize nearly as many times as teams like Edmonton or Washington did. Hopefully, they can make the most of this break before they get rolling in December.

First Star of the Game: Brandon Bussi

I considered Nikolaj Ehlers for a moment, but getting your first NHL shutout to close a strong weekend feels like it trumps that just a little. Brandon Bussi has become one of my favorite stories this season, improving to 7-1-0 this season while improving his GAA to 2.11 (6th in the NHL). He has put the group on his back in his last two starts. 

Next Up: The Canes will enjoy a slow start in December, not taking the ice again until Thursday when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, when it gets going, the game will come quickly. They have a back-to-back next weekend with a Western Conference flair, hosting Nashville on Saturday and San Jose on Sunday. Their homestand concludes against the Blue Jackets next Tuesday night.