Smith last played on December 21st and will be out of the lineup indefinitely as he has been placed on IR with a lower-body injury. He has one goal and two assists in 26 games this season.
Kochetkov allowed five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 5-4 loss in the Hurricanes' last game before the Christmas break but will return to the crease on Wednesday night. The 24-year-old netminder has started four straight and six of the last seven (3-1-2), steadying a Hurricanes' net that has been subpar all season, posting a .927 SV% while allowing fewer than two goals in four contests. The Hurricanes are -130 road favourites against a Nashville Predators team that has lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).
Kochetkov allowed five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 5-4 loss in the Hurricanes' last game before the Christmas break but will likely return to the crease on Wednesday night. The 24-year-old netminder has started four straight and six of the last seven (3-1-2), steadying a Hurricanes' net that has been subpar all season, posting a .927 SV% while allowing fewer than two goals in four contests. The Hurricanes are -130 road favourites against a Nashville Predators team that has lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).
Smith is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He has one goal and two assists in 26 games this season.
Carrier will be the odd-man out up front for Vegas as Keegan Kolesar is set to return from an undisclosed injury. Carrier has five goals and two assists in 31 games this season.
Smith will get a chance to play on the Sharks' fourth line on Thursday alongside Justin Bailey and Jack Studnicka. Smith has one goal and two assists in 25 games this season.
Robinson will be the odd-man out on Thursday as Jordan Greenway and Jeff Skinner are both set to return from their respective injuries. Robinson has a goal and two assists in seven games on the season.
Kochetkov has almost exclusively been the starter for the Hurricanes the last several weeks and will 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).
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.
Smith has not played the last two games but will be allowed to return to the lineup on Friday as Nico Sturm is battling a mid-body injury. Smith has been held off the scoresheet in nine straight games while averaging 6:39 time-on-ice.
