Following the second intermission, Carolina pulled Andersen from the net to substitute backup goaltender Brandon Bussi, after which the Hurricanes rallied with three consecutive goals within 39 seconds in the third period.
Prior to the match, the Hurricanes held an undefeated 6-0 road record during the 2026 postseason while playing under Brind'Amour, who previously captained Carolina to a championship title in 2006.
Reflecting on the competitive environment in Las Vegas, where ticket prices in the upper deck exceeded $500, players from the visiting team noted the unique challenges presented by the local crowd.
"It's such a fun place to play. They've got such a great atmosphere and great vibe," said Jordan Staal, captain of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Staal further emphasized that playing away from their home arena offered a motivating environment for the roster.
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"It's just such a different challenge, obviously, than being at home.
But being on the road and given a chance to try to quiet 20,000 people is such a fun challenge," said Staal.
The Hurricanes entered the contest following a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 2, which relied on strict precision regarding coaching decisions on the ice.
"When it's called goal or no goal on the ice, it better be 100% your challenge," said Brind'Amour.
The coach reiterated that exact certainty remains the baseline requirement for risking a bench challenge during critical playoff matchups.
"That's a rule we go by," said Brind'Amour.
