Get ready for a thrilling matchup as the Carolina Hurricanes gear up to face the Montreal Canadiens on January 1st, but here’s the twist: the spotlight is on Brandon Bussi, the 27-year-old goaltender who’s been nothing short of sensational. With a staggering 13-1-1 record in his first 15 NHL appearances, Bussi has quickly become the Hurricanes’ go-to netminder. But here’s where it gets controversial—his 2.08 goals against average is second only to Colorado’s Mackenzie Blackwood (2.07), sparking debates about who truly deserves the title of the league’s best goalie right now. What do you think—is Bussi the real deal, or is it too early to crown him? Let’s dive in.
While Bussi steals the show in the crease, the Hurricanes’ forward lines have seen some reshuffling since their Tuesday loss in Pittsburgh. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, drafted by Montreal in 2018, is set to play his 500th career game against his former team, skating alongside Taylor Hall and Mark Jankowski. And this is the part most people miss—Kotkaniemi’s journey from a Canadiens prospect to a Hurricanes staple adds an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup. On defense, K'Andre Miller is poised to celebrate his 400th NHL game, marking another milestone for the team.
Here’s how the projected lineup stacks up for tonight’s game:
Forwards
Ehlers - Aho - Svechnikov
Robinson - Stankoven - Blake
Carrier - Staal - Martinook
Hall - Jankowski - Kotkaniemi
Defense
Nikishin - Walker
Miller - Chatfield
Reilly - Nystrom
Starting Goaltender
Bussi
Injuries
Several key players are sidelined, including Shayne Gostisbehere (lower-body, day-to-day), Seth Jarvis (rib injury, week-to-week), Pyotr Kochetkov (hip surgery, likely out for the year), Charles Alexis Legault (hand injury, out 3-4 months), and Jaccob Slavin (upper-body, week-to-week). Bold question: How will these absences impact the Hurricanes’ performance, especially against a formidable opponent like Montreal?
Scratches
Noah Philp
Power Play Units
PP1: Aho, Blake, Staal/Ehlers, and Svechnikov with Nikishin
PP2: Ehlers, Hall, and Stankoven with Miller and Walker
As the puck drops, all eyes will be on Bussi and the Hurricanes’ ability to bounce back from their recent loss. Will they rise to the occasion, or will the Canadiens spoil the party? Share your predictions in the comments—this game promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions and high-stakes hockey!
