For the first time during the 2025-26 season, the Carolina Hurricanes went up against the Ottawa Senators. Despite the weather being in the negative in Ontario, it was intense inside the Canadian Tire Centre. The Hurricanes were looking to extend their point streak to five games, while the Senators were hoping to get back in the win column. In the end, the Hurricanes defeated the Senators 4-1.
Takeaway #1: Brandon Bussi Claims Win No. 19
It seems like a foregone conclusion that anytime Brandon Bussi is in the net, the Hurricanes win. The win against the Senators moved his record to 19-3-1 on the season after 23 starts. He saved 34 of 35 shots against the Senators to finish with a .971 save percentage (SV%). He keeps setting the “first goaltender to ever do…” mantra as he’s the first to win 19 games in his first 23 starts. He has won four of his last five games and is on a three-game winning streak.
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There is no denying that Bussi has more than earned the right to be in Vezina Trophy conversations for what he’s done in his rookie season, especially after being claimed off waivers before the season started by the Hurricanes. No matter how big the situation is, it seems the moment doesn’t faze the “Bus Driver”, as he stays calm and cool in the net. It makes people wonder how much his heart rate even goes up when he’s in the net, if at all.
Furthermore, he’s showing why he should get an extension to stay in Raleigh after the 2025-26 season. It’s hard to deny how good he’s been for head coach Rod Brind’Amour’s team, and a 34-save performance in Ottawa on Saturday night is another reason why the extension needs to happen.
Takeaway #2: Jarvis & Chatfield with Multi-Point Nights
What a night for Seth Jarvis and Jalen Chatfield as both players had two points in the win on Saturday. Jarvis finished with a goal and an assist. He now has a team-leading 23rd goal and 16th assist. Chatfield now has 11 assists on the season, as he had the secondary tally on the William Carrier and Taylor Hall goals.
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Jarvis has been a man on a mission this season, and looks to set new career highs, especially in goals, as he is 10 away from tying his high from 2023-24. Chatfield has been doing all of the right things in all three zones for assistant coach Tim Gleason’s blue liners and is being rewarded for his efforts with two assists, a career-high in a game. Both guys came up big when needed the most, and it led to them being part of two of the four goals in the win.
Takeaway #3: Special Teams Bounced Back
While the penalty kill was 100% in their last game, the power play went for minus-1-for-5, following a shorthanded goal to the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night (Jan. 22). However, the Hurricanes’ special teams bounced back in a big way, helping them secure the 4-1 win. The penalty kill once again went 100%, going 4-for-4 on the night. The power play was better for the Hurricanes as they went 1-for-4 after the Andrei Svechnikov goal on the two-man advantage to go up 4-0 in the second period.
Since Dec. 5, the Hurricanes’ power play has been clicking at over a 30% pace. Getting one against the Senators following the Blackhawks game was a nice turnaround. Now that the special teams for the Hurricanes are humming, like their 5-on-5 play, it shows why they’re top five in the NHL in points.
The Hurricanes are now 32-15-5 on the season, and are on a five-game point streak. They have the next four days off until their next game on Thursday, Jan. 29, against the Utah Mammoth. It’s the Hurricanes’ annual Whalers Night on Thursday as they look to extend their point streak to six games.
