Carolina Hurricanes News

Kochetkov has almost exclusively been the starter for the Hurricanes the last several weeks and will likely start for the fifth time in the last six games on Thursday. His competition between the pipes has been underwhelming but Kochetkov has earned the increased workload under his merit, allowing only six combined goals over his last four games (3-0-1), posting a dazzling .946 SV%. The Hurricanes, coming off a convincing 6-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, are -140 road favourites against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).

Svechnikov has been out for the Hurricanes' previous six games due to an upper-body injury but is expected to return Tuesday vs. Vegas. The 23-year-old started his 2023-24 season late due to a pre-existing knee injury and has a goal, 11 points, 41 SOG, and 20 PIMs in 16 prior to his most recent ailment.

Kochetkov will make his fifth-straight start Tuesday as he hosts the Vegas Golden Nights in Raleigh as he attempts his third win in four games since taking over as full time starter with Antti Raanta placed on waivers. The 24-year-old netminder signed a four-year, $8 million contract in the offseason and has repaid the Hurricanes with a 6-6-2 record, 2.62 GAA and .894 SV%. He will host the powerhouse that is Vegas, who has won five of their last six games and are ninth in the NHL in both shots per game (32.5) and goals per game (3.41).

The Hurricanes placed Antti Raanta on waivers on Saturday, so Perets will likely serve as Pyotr Kochetkov's backup on Sunday. The 23-year-old netminder turned pro this season after three seasons at Quinnipiac University. He has gone 5-5-1 with a 2.38 GAA and .916 SV% in 11 ECHL games this season.

Kochetkov is coming off one of his best starts of the season and will be rewarded with the nod for the second consecutive game on Thursday. The 24-year-old netminder stopped 31 of the 32 shots he faced in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the Senators, which included a flying poke check to thwart Brady Tkachuk's penalty shot. The outing helped Kochetkov raise his meager SV% to .883 on the season. He's in a great spot to keep things rolling on Thursday with the Hurricanes being -170 favourites in Detroit.

Miller had played all 26 games for the Rangers before Tuesday's matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, which he missed due to personal reasons. Miller has 12 points (5G / 7A), 34 blocks, and 24 hits this season, skating primarily alongside Jacob Trouba.

Over his last two games, Kochetkov has allowed six goals on 33 shots (.818 SV%) as the Hurricanes are in the middle of a season-worst four-game losing skid (0-4-0). Partly due to the Hurricanes' elite shot suppression and defensive style, no goalie has been able to put up elite numbers between the crease, as visible by Kochetkov's 3.12 GAA and .873 SV% in 12 games (4-6-1-). That said, the Hurricanes will need a strong performance from Kochetkov as he faces off against an Ottawa Senators team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0), outscoring their opposition 16-6.

Over his last two games, Kochetkov has allowed six goals on 33 shots (.818 SV%) as the Hurricanes are in the middle of a season-worst four-game losing skid (0-4-0). Partly due to the Hurricanes' elite shot suppression and defensive style, no goalie has been able to put up elite numbers between the crease, as visible by Kochetkov's 3.12 GAA and .873 SV% in 12 games (4-6-1-). That said, the Hurricanes will need a strong performance from Kochetkov as he faces off against an Ottawa Senators team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0), outscoring their opposition 16-6.

Svechnikov was a late scratch on Thursday due to an upper-body injury and subsequently missed Saturday's contest. The Hurricanes revealed that Svechnikov had an MRI and will be out indefinitely. Svechnikov has been unlucky with injuries lately, dating back to last season when he had season-ending knee surgery that kept him out of the lineup for the first several weeks of the 2023-24 campaign as well. The talented 23-year-old has not been as dominant as flashy as he has been in the past, tallying only 11 points (1G / 10A) in 16 games thus far.

Miller has played all 26 games for the Rangers this season but will sit out on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs for personal reasons. Miller has 12 points (5G / 7A), 34 blocks, and 24 hits this season. Zac Jones is likely to join the Rangers' blueline in Miller's absence.

Svechnikov was a late scratch on Thursday due to an upper-body injury and subsequently missed Saturday's contest. The Hurricanes have revealed that Svechnikov is getting an MRI and will be out indefinitely until more information is clear. Svechnikov has been unlucky with injuries lately, dating back to last season when he had season-ending knee surgery that kept him out of the lineup for the first several weeks of the 2023-24 campaign as well. The talented 23-year-old has not been as dominant as flashy as he has been in the past, tallying only 11 points (1G / 10A) in 16 games thus far.

Primeau has roughly started every third or fourth game for the Canadiens over the last month and will continue that trend on Saturday when the Canadiens visit the Buffalo Sabres. Primeau last played on November 30th, allowing five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. The Canadiens have lost three of their last four (1-3-0) but defeated the Sabres in their only matchup this season, a 3-1 victory on October 23rd with Jake Allen between the pipes.

Svechnikov was a very late scratch for Thursday's game with the announcement being made less than 10 minutes before puck drop. He did participate in warmups but evidently was not feeling well enough to play. Brendan Lemieux will enter the lineup in his place.

Kochetkov will get an immediate chance to redeem himself after last night's disappointing start in Edmonton. Kochetkov allowed three goals on the first six shots he faced before being lifted in favour of Antti Raanta, who hardly fared any better in the 6-1 defeat. Kochetkov owns an unflattering .871 SV% to go along with a 4-5-1 record on the season. He'll be hoping to get back in the win column on Thursday with the Hurricanes being -125 favourites over the Flames.