Hurricanes news: Frederik Andersen’s ‘mind-blowing’ take from G1 vs. Senators

The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Ottawa Senators 2-0 in the first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canes are in the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season and are looking for their sixth straight first-round win. Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen spoke about how fired up the Raleigh fans were for Game 1.

“It’s pretty mind-blowing how loud it gets and how fun it is to play here,” Andersen said, per Aaron Beard of the Associated Press.

Andersen has himself to thank for the excitement of the Hurricanes crowd. He put up a 22-save shutout, earning the first star of the game. Andersen’s numbers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs are strong, with 47 wins in 86 starts and a 2.37 goals-against average, but Carolina has not been able to get over the hump in recent years.

It was a surprise to many that Andersen got the Game 1 start for the Hurricanes. It was, after all, Brandon Bussi who led the team with 39 appearances and 31 wins in the regular season. But coach Rod Brind’Amour went with the veteran Andersen, who proved to be the right choice.

“Of course you’re looking for goalies to make saves at the right time, and that’s the right time,” Brind’Amour said, per Beard. “And that’s what he did tonight. Like, I don’t even know how you explain it. That was exactly the game, right there. And he was up for the challenge tonight.”

The Hurricanes host the Senators again in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday night at 7:30 Eastern. Andersen may be leaned on again, but no one should be surprised if Bussi is back in the net. Carolina may finally have a goaltending advantage in the playoffs, with Igor Shesterkin and Ilya Sorokin both watching from home. Brind’Amour can use that to his advantage, and did so on Saturday.

The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Ottawa Senators 2-0 in the first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canes are in the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season and are looking for their sixth straight first-round win. Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen spoke about how fired up the Raleigh fans were for Game 1.