Hurricanes netminder Frederik Andersen is available, but he probably isn’t starting Game 5

The Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights are set to face off in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. In Game 4, the Hurricanes made the switch to Brandon Bussi in goal over Frederik Andersen.

There was some speculation as to the health of Andersen, but now some clarity is being given to the situation, according to hockey insider Elliotte Friedman.

“Frederik Andersen skated earlier today and ‘everybody’s available’ tonight, per Rod Brind’Amour,” Friedman posted on X formerly Twitter.

While it was reported that Andersen was available and skated earlier, he did not appear in practice, according to The Hockey News.

“Brandon Bussi is on the ice for practice today with the Hurricanes, looking to take the lead in the Stanley Cup Final at home. Andersen not dressed and not at practice, Bussi assumed to be starting for Game 5,” the post from The Hockey News read.

Andersen had been a stalwart in goal for the Hurricanes in the first two rounds of the playoffs. While he struggled some in the Eastern Conference finals against the Montreal Canadiens, he was still good enough to get the Canes the series victory. Still, Andersen has struggled in this series. In Game 1, he allowed five goals on 23 shots, good for just a .783 save percentage. He was better in Game 2, stopping 23 of 26 shots, and taking the overtime victory. In Game 3, Andersen faced 16 shots in two periods, allowing four goals, leading to Bussi taking over in the net.

In the relief appearance in Game 3, he stopped 18 of 19 shots, but the Canes lost in double overtime. Then, he stopped 18 of 21 shots in Game 4, taking the win and seeing the series become even.

Now, it seems Bussi will be back in the net for the Canes in Game 5. Game 5 is set for Thursday night with an 8 pm ET puck drop.

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