Carolina Hurricanes News

With first place in the Metropolitan Division clinched and just one point away from clinching the top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Hurricanes will rest several key players on Monday, with the postseason less than a week away. Stankoven has been an effective offensive contributor in his previous two postseasons and hopes to carry his late-season momentum into a deep playoff run for the Hurricanes. The 23-year-old has nine points (7G / 2A) during a six-game point streak.

Bussi gave up five goals on 21 shots in the Hurricanes’ 6-5 overtime win vs. Boston on Tuesday. Bussi continues to rack up wins despite his poor play. He’s won five straight starts even though he’s posted an ugly 2.99 GAA and .860 SV%. With Carolina resting a bunch of regulars on Monday, Bussi becomes a far less reliable starter against a desperate Philadelphia Flyers team looking to clinch a playoff berth.

Andersen allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Hurricanes' win in Chicago on Thursday. For the second time in a couple weeks, the Hurricanes will stick with Andersen for a second game in a row. Andersen has cleaned things up a bit recently and comes into Saturday at 7-3-0 with a 3.00 GAA and .862 SV% in his last 10 starts.

Kochetkov has been out since December 20th with a hip injury but is set to return and has been assigned to Chicago (AHL) for a conditioning stint. Prior to his long-term injury, the 26-year-old had a 6-2-0 record with a 2.33 GAA and .899 SV%. Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen have being holding down the crease in his absence.

The Hurricanes are resting a handful of players on Thursday night, which will force Kotkaniemi back into the lineup. Kotkaniemi has two goals and seven assists in 38 games this season.

The Hurricanes are resting a handful of players on Thursday, giving Slavin the opportunity to make his Hurricanes debut. Slavin played 15 games in the NHL in the 2021-22 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, but has otherwise spent his entire career in the AHL. The seventh-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has 25 points (6G / 19A) in 66 games this season with the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

Carolina's playoff position is firmly secured, so Martinook will be one of a handful of Hurricanes to get the night off on Thursday. Jaccob Slavin, Jordan Staal, Seth Jarvis, Sebastian Aho, and Andrei Svechnikov will all join Martinook in the press box.