Hurricanes’ Nikolaj Ehlers makes ‘incredible’ admission on Brandon Bussi breakout

Nikolaj Ehlers and the Carolina Hurricanes are all aboard the “Bussi.”

Brandon Bussi has given the Hurricanes a big lift in the 2026 edition of the NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Making just his third appearance in the playoffs (and second start in the finals) on Thursday night, Bussi stepped up to the challenge and delivered a solid performance for his team in Game 5 of the Golden Knights series at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bussi replaced Frederik Andersen in the 5-4 overtime loss to Vegas in Game 3. In Game 4, he started and allowed three goals on 21 shots faced to help the Hurricanes score a 5-3 victory. In Game 5, he was much steadier between the pipes, stopping 23 of 25 Golden Knights shots on goal in a 4-2 win.

The 27-year-old Bussi earned a third-star honor for his performance — as well as praise from Ehlers.

“Not having played for two months, and then play two games in the finals, and be as calm as he is and make the saves he has, is incredible,” Ehlers said of Bussi after the game, via Walt Ruff of NHL.com.  “Of course, that gives a team confidence. That’s exciting for us, and we’re happy for him as well.”

Ehlers himself also made a big mark in Game 3, even earning a second star after tallying three points, all coming from assists. He assisted on the Hurricanes’ first goal of the contest, courtesy of Jordan Staal, and had another on Andrei Svechnikov’s game-winning score in the second frame. Ehlers’ final helper of the night was on Svechnikov’s goal on the power play in the third period that put Carolina up, 4-1.

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