SAN JOSE — In their first true road test of the 2025 season, the Carolina Hurricanes showed they’re built to travel. They dismantled the San Jose Sharks 5-1 Tuesday night at SAP Center, improving to 3–0 and sending a message that last season’s Eastern Conference Final run was no fluke.
Rookie goaltender Brandon Bussi, making his NHL debut, stopped 16 shots and looked composed, steady, confident—a perfect embodiment of what this Canes team has become: young, deep and not overmatched by the moment. He was thrown into the deep end thanks to the injury to Pyotr Kochetkov, yet handled the test without breaking. (San Jose mustered just one goal, by William Eklund, and no shots in the third period.) ESPN box score shows Carolina topped 40 shots again and held the Sharks scoreless in the final stanza.
Offensively, it was a five-man scoring night: Sean Walker, William Carrier, Eric Robinson, Shayne Gostisbehere and Jackson Blake all found the net. Logan Stankoven collected two assists. Walker opened the scoring early in the second. When Carrier and Robinson struck within minutes of each other late in that period, the game was essentially over. Carolina’s depth showed.
Back in the broadcast booth this season, Hanna Yates returned to sideline and rinkside reporting duties, reminding viewers she’s the kind of observational glue you forget you need until she’s not there. It’s good to have her perspectives and quips back, especially on nights like this when the Canes’ chemistry feels effortless.
Coach Rod Brind’Amour deserves credit: three games in, and this team already plays like it’s been together for years. The composure, the decision-making under pressure, the way lines slide in and out—that’s not luck. That’s roster construction, vetting, and a system that rewards responsibility.
Speaking of roster work: Canes management deserves a tip of the cap. This summer they pulled off moves that look sharp in hindsight. They finally parted ways with aging stalwart Brent Burns and shipped out Scott Morrow, clearing cap space and roster clutter. In came K’Andre Miller, who anchors the blue line aggressively, and Nikolaj Ehlers, whose speed and shot add a dangerous dimension to a forward group already deep with youth. The retooled roster already looks built for more than just consistency—it looks like a contender. The debut of the new road sweaters in San Jose was a visual signal too: Carolina is showing up, taking over, making style moves.
The young core—Stankoven, Blake, Nikishin, Josh Roach and others—are not window dressing. They’re contributors. They’re the difference between a team that makes noise and a team that . . . wins cups. The Canes have been “consistently good” for years, but now the challenge is: take the next step. The Eastern Conference is wide open. Why not this year?
This 5-1 road win after two home victories is more than a fast start. It’s proof of concept. If they keep this up, capture the President’s Trophy, bring in the momentum, Rod’s group might just change the narrative from “threat” to “champion.” The bar is higher now. They’re good enough to clear it.
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