Brandon Bussi stopped all three shots in a shootout to lift the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals in a matchup of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference standings.

In a crucial division rivalry, the Carolina Hurricanes travel to face the red-hot Washington Capitals on Thursday.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Canadian Thanksgiving happened more than five weeks ago, but its American counterpart is on Thursday. With more than a quarter of the NHL season in the books, here’s something each of the Hurricanes can be thankful for — besides Carolina’s spot at the top of the Eastern Conference — so far in the 2025-26 campaign.

Dmitri Voronkov scored for the Blue Jackets (13-11-6), who have lost three in a row (0-2-1). Jet Greaves made 27 saves. “For two periods, we were pretty good. We were doing all the right things,” Columbus coach Dean Evason said. “Then we make an error and it ends up in our net. It’s frustrating, for sure.”

Expert recap and game analysis of the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals NHL game from December 11, 2025 on ESPN.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi sidelined again with a lower-body injury. Mark Jankowski steps in as the fourth-line center.

After honoring the 2006 Stanley Cup championship team during its 20th anniversary celebration at Lenovo Center, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated Columbus in a Metro Division game.