Hurricanes Riding High Behind Nikishin’s Cannon, Bussi’s Brilliance, and a Red-Hot Power Play
RALEIGH, N.C. - Three games. Three wins.
Fifteen goals. Two hat tricks.
And a team that suddenly looks like it’s found another gear.
The Carolina Hurricanes have packed a full week’s worth of fireworks into just four days of hockey, and if you haven’t been watching closely, you might’ve missed the signs of a team starting to hit its stride - and maybe something more.
Let’s break down what’s fueling this surge.
Boom Goes Nikishin
When Alexander Nikishin made the jump from Russia to Raleigh last spring, he brought more than just a big frame and a mean streak. He brought a nickname - “Boom” - and lately, he’s been living up to it in every sense.
At 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds, Nikishin has been throwing his weight around all season, but it’s his shot that’s turning heads right now. On Friday night, he uncorked a 92.5 mph laser from outside the circles that beat Sergei Bobrovsky clean and sparked a scoring avalanche - the second of eight unanswered goals in a 9-1 rout of the Florida Panthers.
That bomb? Not even one of his 10 hardest shots this season, per NHL EDGE tracking data.
Two nights later, he let loose a 95 mph missile against Buffalo, and his top speed so far - 98.97 mph - puts him in the 97th percentile across the league. He’s already recorded 24 shots over 90 mph this season, eighth-most in the NHL, and his average shot speed (72.96 mph) ranks in the 92nd percentile.
In short: this guy’s got a cannon, and it’s not just for show.
Friday’s goal was Nikishin’s sixth of the year, putting him within striking distance of Justin Faulk’s franchise record for goals by a rookie defenseman. And the way he’s being used on the power play suggests the team knows exactly what kind of weapon they have at the point.
“I always tell him, ‘You’ve got to shoot the puck,’” said Andrei Svechnikov, who’s been acting as both linemate and translator. “He’s probably got the hardest shot on our team.
When he shoots from the middle, it opens up space on the sides. It’s always nice to have that.”
Power Play Surge: From Struggling to Scorching
Back on December 4, Carolina’s power play was in the basement - 31st in the league, converting just 13.2% of its chances. Since then? It’s been one of the most dangerous units in the NHL.
Since December 6, the Canes have cashed in on 30.7% of their power-play opportunities, trailing only Edmonton during that stretch. And over the past three games, they’ve gone 5-for-8 - a blistering 62.5% clip - including a four-goal special teams outburst in Friday’s blowout win.
But it’s not just about piling up goals. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour is more focused on execution when it matters most.
“We’ve kind of been in a little bit of a spell where we’re not getting a ton of [power-play] chances in the last couple of games, but it doesn’t matter,” Brind’Amour said after Monday’s win. “Every game is 0-for-0. That [power-play success] has to count now.”
Case in point: Seth Jarvis’ game-winner against Buffalo. With the game tied in the third and the Canes on just their third power play in two games, Jarvis needed just seven seconds to bury his own rebound off a set play - a textbook example of how preparation and precision can pay off in crunch time.
“Tonight, the first [power play] was ‘ehh,’” Brind’Amour admitted. “But then we get our set - win the draw clean, which is the biggest part for me - and we were able to connect. We needed it tonight.”
Bussi Keeps Rolling
If you’re still asking “Who is Brandon Bussi?” it’s time to catch up.
The 27-year-old rookie netminder just picked up his 17th and 18th career wins over the weekend - the most by any goalie through their first 22 NHL starts. And he’s not just winning games - he’s stealing them.
His jaw-dropping save on Tage Thompson lit up social media and underscored what teammates and coaches have been seeing all season: a goalie who stays locked in, even when the action’s quiet, and rises to the moment when it matters most.
“He was incredible,” said Jarvis. “Didn’t get tested too much early on, but that’s what’s so great about him - he stays in games and waits for his opportunities. He made three or four unbelievable saves.”
Bussi’s numbers back it up. Among goalies with at least 15 starts, he ranks second in high-danger save percentage (.870), trailing only Ilya Sorokin (.875). Against high-probability shots, he’s stopping 70% - well above the league average of 63.6% - good for sixth in the NHL (min. 20 games).
And remember: this is a guy who came to Carolina on a preseason waiver claim.
“Honestly, it’ll never feel normal,” Bussi said when asked if life in the NHL is starting to settle in. “This is what you dream about your whole life. I don’t think I’m someone who takes that for granted.”
A Team Finding Its Identity
Between Nikishin’s thunderbolt from the blue line, a power play that’s gone from dormant to deadly, and a goalie who’s rewriting the record books, the Hurricanes are starting to look like a team that’s figured something out.
They’re deeper, more dangerous, and playing with a confidence that wasn’t always there earlier in the season. And with three straight wins - and a whole lot of highlights - they’re sending a message to the rest of the league: the storm is brewing in Carolina.