William Carrier Returns to Hurricanes Lineup, Bussi Gets the Net vs. Sabres
The Carolina Hurricanes are getting a boost to their bottom six as they welcome back winger William Carrier for Monday night's matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. Carrier, known for his physical edge and relentless forecheck, returns after a four-game absence due to a lower-body injury. While head coach Rod Brind’Amour hasn’t revealed who will come out of the lineup to make room, Carrier’s return adds some muscle and energy to a fourth line that’s been rotating pieces.
Brind’Amour’s Hurricanes continue to navigate a challenging stretch on the injury front, particularly on the blue line. Shayne Gostisbehere, the team’s top-scoring defenseman, remains sidelined with a lingering lower-body issue.
He’ll miss his third straight game, and his absence continues to be felt on the power play and in transition. In his place, rookie Joel Nystrom-recently recalled from AHL Chicago-will stay in the lineup, skating on the third pair with Nikita Nikishin.
Nystrom’s poise and puck-moving ability have earned him another look, while veteran Mike Reilly appears set to be a healthy scratch for the second game in a row.
In goal, Brandon Bussi gets the nod. The 27-year-old netminder has been turning heads with a stellar start to his NHL campaign, going 17-3-1 through his first 21 appearances.
He was sharp in his last outing, stopping 15 of 16 shots in a win over Florida. With Pyotr Kochetkov still sidelined following hip surgery, Bussi’s emergence as a reliable option between the pipes has been a key storyline for Carolina this season.
Projected Lineup vs. Buffalo
Forwards:
- Andrei Svechnikov - Sebastian Aho - Seth Jarvis
- Taylor Hall - Logan Stankoven - Jack Blake
- Nikolaj Ehlers - Jordan Staal - Jordan Martinook
- Eric Robinson - Mark Jankowski/Jesperi Kotkaniemi - William Carrier
Defense:
- Jaccob Slavin - Jalen Chatfield
- K'Andre Miller - Sean Walker
- Nikita Nikishin - Joel Nystrom
Starting Goaltender:
- Brandon Bussi
Injury Report
- Shayne Gostisbehere - Lower-body injury (Day-to-day)
- Pyotr Kochetkov - Hip surgery (Likely out for the year, as of Dec.
- Charles Alexis Legault - Hand injury (Out 3-4 months from Nov.
- Noah Philp - Concussion protocol (No timetable for return)
Healthy Scratch: Mike Reilly
Power Play Units
PP1:
- Aho, Ehlers (or Staal), Jarvis, Svechnikov
- Nikishin on the point
PP2:
- Blake, Hall, Jankowski, Stankoven
- Miller on the point
One wrinkle to watch on the man advantage: Jordan Staal has been taking faceoffs with the top unit. If he wins the draw, he stays on the ice; if the puck exits the zone, he heads to the bench and Ehlers jumps on. It’s a situational tactic that speaks to Carolina’s attention to detail-and the trust they place in Staal’s faceoff prowess.
With Carrier back in the mix, Bussi in net, and the team continuing to juggle injuries, tonight’s game against the Sabres is another test of the Hurricanes’ depth and adaptability.