Hurricanes Edge Flames in OT Behind Bussi’s First Career Shutout and Ehlers’ Clutch Finish
The Carolina Hurricanes closed out their November slate with a grind-it-out, 1-0 overtime win over the Calgary Flames on Sunday night. It wasn’t flashy.
It wasn’t high-scoring. But it was the kind of gritty, defensive effort that can define a team’s identity over the course of a long season.
And at the heart of it all? A goaltender making the most of his moment and a forward delivering a signature welcome-to-the-team moment.
Bussi’s Breakthrough: A Weekend to Remember
Let’s start in net, where Brandon Bussi is making a compelling case to be Carolina’s go-to guy for the time being. After a composed, low-event win over Winnipeg on Friday - a game that featured a Seth Jarvis hat trick and not much else - Bussi earned the rare back-to-back start. The Hurricanes rewarded his strong play, and he returned the favor with the first shutout of his NHL career.
This wasn’t a case of an easy night at the office, either. Calgary came in with a clear strategy: stretch the ice, fly the zone, and manufacture breakaways and odd-man rushes.
They got their looks. But Bussi was locked in.
Whether it was Matt Coronato ringing one off the post or Morgan Frost testing him in the third, Bussi stood tall every time. His positioning was sharp, his rebound control was clean, and his calm demeanor under pressure was exactly what the Canes needed in a tight-checking game.
It’s not just about the saves - it’s about the confidence he’s instilling in the group in front of him. And right now, he’s earning more than just starts. He’s earning trust.
Ehlers Delivers the Knockout Punch
With the game still deadlocked deep into overtime, it was Carolina who finally seized the moment. The Hurricanes controlled the puck for most of the extra frame, dictating pace and waiting for the right opportunity. That moment came when Taylor Hall threaded a perfect pass to Nikolaj Ehlers, who was battling Nazem Kadri one-on-one.
Ehlers didn’t flinch. He protected the puck, kept his feet moving, and powered through Kadri’s stick check before slipping the game-winner past Devin Cooley. It was a fitting end to a game where chances were rare and execution had to be perfect.
For Ehlers, this felt like more than just a goal. It felt like a statement - his first real “I’m here” moment in a Hurricanes sweater. In a game where Carolina couldn’t afford to let a second point slip away, he made sure they didn’t.
A Night of Missed Chances - and Selective Shooting
If you’re wondering why the scoreboard stayed stuck at zero for so long, look no further than the Hurricanes’ shot totals. Just 17 pucks made it on net - their lowest total in a game in the last five seasons.
And it wasn’t for lack of puck possession. Carolina had the puck plenty.
They just didn’t want to shoot it.
There were stretches where it looked like the Hurricanes were trying to pass the puck into the net. On the power play, they moved it around the perimeter but rarely challenged Cooley with traffic or rebounds. The shot count never cracked more than six in a single period, and opportunities were routinely passed up in favor of the extra pass.
It wasn’t pretty, and it’s not a formula you want to rely on too often. But when your goalie is lights out and your defense keeps things tight, sometimes one goal is all you need.
Staal’s Return Brings Stability
Jordan Staal made his return to the lineup after missing three games with an illness, and his presence was immediately felt. Though he didn’t find the scoresheet, Staal was active in all three zones. He had a strong second-period shift where he created multiple looks and nearly set up Jordan Martinook for the winner in the final minute of regulation.
Staal’s return gives the Hurricanes a boost down the middle, especially in tight, defensive games like this one. His leadership and two-way play remain cornerstones of this group’s identity.
What’s Next
The win gives Carolina three of four possible points over the weekend and brings their homestand record back to even. They’ll get a short breather before jumping into a busy stretch: three games in four nights, starting Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That’s followed by a weekend back-to-back against Nashville and San Jose, before wrapping up the homestand next Tuesday against Columbus.
If Brandon Bussi keeps playing like this, don’t be surprised if he gets the nod against the Leafs. He’s earned it.
For now, the Hurricanes will take the two points, the shutout, and a signature moment from one of their newest faces. It wasn’t a high-flying affair, but it was the kind of win that builds character - and momentum.