Andersen stopped 17 of 21 shots in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Panthers in Game 5. The fifth goal was an empty-netter.

EDGE Analysis

Andersen couldn't replicate his Game 4 shutout, allowing three goals in a span of 4:36 during the second period after the Hurricanes tallied twice in the first. The 35-year-old netminder went 8-5 with a 2.02 GAA and a .906 save percentage over 13 playoff outings. He signed a one-year contract extension in early May, so he'll be part of the Hurricanes' plans between the pipes again in 2025-26.

Andersen will protect the home goal in Wednesday's Game 5 versus the Panthers, David Dwork of The Hockey News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Andersen kept the Hurricanes from getting swept in Game 4, posting a 20-save shutout to keep their season alive. The team will turn back to him again in a second straight elimination game. Andersen is is 4-2 with a 2.32 GAA and an .898 save percentage on home ice this postseason, though he lost the first two games of this series in Carolina while allowing nine goals on 36 shots.

Andersen stopped all 20 shots he faced Monday in the Hurricanes' 3-0 win over the Panthers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

EDGE Analysis

With Carolina facing the prospect of getting swept out of the playoffs, Andersen returned to the crease after getting benched for Game 3 and delivered his fifth career playoff shutout to keep his team alive. Despite his rough start to the current series, the veteran netminder sports a 1.84 GAA and a .914 save percentage in 12 outings this postseason. He'll likely need to come up big again Wednesday in Game 5 if the 'Canes are going to avoid elimination.

Andersen was the first goalie off the ice ahead of Game 4 versus the Panthers on Monday, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports, indicating he'll get the starting nod on the road.

EDGE Analysis

Andersen gave up nine goals on 36 combined shots (.750 save percentage) in Games 1 and 2 before watching Pyotr Kochetkov feature between the pipes in Game 3. With Kochetkov giving up six goals in that appearance, the Hurricanes look poised to return to Andersen in the crease for a must-win Game 4.

Andersen stopped 12 of 16 shots over two periods Thursday before being replaced by Pyotr Kochetkov in a 5-0 loss to Florida in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

EDGE Analysis

The Panthers scored three times on five first-period shots, including on the first shot of the game, but none were on Andersen. The first and third goals were deflections, and the second was a blown coverage by his own defender. And the kitties put a nail in the coffin with their fourth goal with 39 seconds left in the second period. Andersen needed a strong start after his poor play in Game 1, but his confidence was shaken, and his team did little to help. The Canes are a squad that need the Great Dane to anchor them, and right now, he looks shaken. The team will need to reset for Game 3.

Andersen is expected to get the starting nod at home against the Panthers in Game 2 on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Following Andersen's previous postseason loss, he excelled with a 21-save shutout performance, so fans and fantasy players alike will be hoping for a similar bounceback in Game 2 versus the Cats. Despite the disappointing outing in Game 1, Andersen is still sporting a 1.74 GAA in 10 postseason contests while registering a 7-3 record. At this point, Andersen has likely earned himself some leash to keep the starting job even if he struggles.

Andersen stopped 15 shots Tuesday in the Hurricanes' 5-2 loss to the Panthers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

EDGE Analysis

Two of the pucks that beat him came on Florida power plays and two others found their way through heavy traffic in front of Andersen, but the veteran netminder also didn't look quite as sharp as he had earlier in the playoffs. The five goals were the most he's allowed this postseason, but he still sports a 1.74 GAA and .919 save percentage through 10 starts. Andersen will look to bounce back in Game 2 on Thursday.

Andersen will get the starting nod at home for Game 1 against the Panthers on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Considering Andersen went 4-1 with a ridiculous 1.19 GAA and .937 save percentage in five games against the Capitals, there was little doubt he'd be back in goal for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The veteran netminder has faced more than 30 shots just once this postseason, so look for his team to continue trying to limit opportunities for the Cats to put shots on net.

Andersen made 18 saves in a 3-1 win over Washington on Thursday in Game 5.

EDGE Analysis

Anthony Beauvillier was the only member of the Capitals to beat him, and he didn't have much of a chance on the goal. A Canes defender attempted to rim the puck around his own net, but the puck caromed off the end boards and right to Beauvillier, who was at the top of the crease. He went five-hole on Andersen. The Great Dane has won three consecutive games, and he's 7-2 with a 1.36 GAA and .937 save percentage in nine starts.

Andersen will start in goal on the road versus the Capitals in Game 5 on Thursday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Andersen is 3-1 with a 1.24 GAA and a .934 save percentage over the first four games of the second round. He went 1-1 with three goals allowed on 34 shots over two games in DC to begin the series. Andersen has been arguably the best goalie this postseason, and a win Thursday will send the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference Finals.