Hurricanes Stay Hot Behind Bussi’s Brilliance, Balanced Attack in 4-1 Win Over Senators
The Carolina Hurricanes rolled into Ottawa with momentum on their side and left with two more points in the bag. In their first meeting of the season with the Senators, Carolina put together a complete performance - steady goaltending, timely offense, and a special teams bounce-back - en route to a 4-1 win at Canadian Tire Centre. That’s five straight games with at least a point for the Canes, who are quietly building steam as the season turns toward its second half.
Let’s break down what stood out in Saturday night’s win.
Brandon Bussi: The Bus Just Keeps Rolling
If you’re not paying attention to Brandon Bussi yet, it’s time to start. The rookie netminder turned aside 34 of 35 shots in Ottawa, improving his record to a jaw-dropping 19-3-1 through 23 starts.
That’s not just impressive - it’s historic. Bussi is the first goaltender in NHL history to notch 19 wins in his first 23 starts.
And he’s doing it with a calm, composed demeanor that belies his experience.
Saturday’s effort marked his third straight win and fourth in his last five outings. It wasn’t just the volume of saves, but the quality - Bussi was dialed in from puck drop, tracking pucks through traffic, controlling rebounds, and making it look easy. There’s a poise to his game that’s rare, especially for someone who was claimed off waivers before the season even started.
Whether it’s a tight game or a late penalty kill, Bussi doesn’t flinch. And with performances like this, he’s not only earning the trust of Rod Brind’Amour - he’s forcing his way into the Vezina Trophy conversation. The Hurricanes struck gold with this pickup, and if they’re smart, they’ll be locking him up beyond this season.
Jarvis and Chatfield Deliver in the Offensive Zone
Seth Jarvis continues to be a tone-setter for this Carolina team. He added another goal and assist to his season totals on Saturday, giving him a team-leading 23 goals to go along with 16 assists. The 23-year-old is tracking toward new career highs and doing it with consistency - not just showing up on the scoresheet, but making winning plays all over the ice.
His goal came at a crucial moment, helping Carolina stretch their lead and control the tempo. Jarvis is showing he’s more than just a skilled winger - he’s becoming a reliable driver of offense in all situations.
Jalen Chatfield also had himself a night, picking up two assists - a career-high for a single game. He was credited with the secondary helpers on goals by William Carrier and Taylor Hall, and his presence was felt in all three zones.
Chatfield’s been a steady contributor on the back end, and nights like this are a testament to the work he’s put in under assistant coach Tim Gleason. He’s not flashy, but he’s effective - and Saturday was a perfect example of that.
Special Teams Respond After Rough Outing
Carolina’s special teams needed a response after Thursday’s game against Chicago, where the power play gave up a shorty and went 0-for-5. They got it.
The penalty kill was perfect again, going 4-for-4 and keeping Ottawa’s power play off the board. It’s the second straight game the PK has been spotless - a big reason why the Hurricanes were able to control the flow of the game.
On the power play, Carolina capitalized on a 5-on-3 opportunity in the second period, with Andrei Svechnikov burying one to make it 4-0. That unit has been humming since early December, converting at over 30% - a top-tier rate in today’s NHL. When both special teams units are clicking alongside strong even-strength play, it’s no surprise the Hurricanes are sitting top five in the league in points.
Looking Ahead
With the win, the Hurricanes improve to 32-15-5 and extend their point streak to five games. They’ll get a few days off before returning to the ice Thursday for a matchup against the Utah Mammoth - a game that also marks their annual Whalers Night, always a fan favorite.
If Bussi keeps playing like this, and the offense continues to get contributions across the board, Carolina’s going to be a tough out for anyone. The machine is starting to hum in Raleigh - and it’s picking up speed.