Fast took a high hit from Noah Gregor on Friday and did not return to the game. Fast was not on the ice for Monday's practice and will miss some time. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour did not a timeline for Fast's return.
Carrier missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury but will draw back into the lineup on Monday. Carrier has scored five goals with two assists (seven points) in 31 games this season.
Kochetkov served as the backup for the first time in six contests on Thursday, a 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, but will return to the starter's crease on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kochetkov has been somewhat inconsistent this season but is coming off a very strong performance in his last outing, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators. The Hurricanes, winners of two straight, will have their first meeting of the season with the Maple Leafs, who have lost three of their last four (1-3-0).
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).
Primeau played well in the Canadiens' final game before the Christmas break, saving 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%) in a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, and will play in their first game back from the break on Thursday. Primeau has won three of his last four contests (3-1-0), allowing two goals or fewer in three, posting a .916 SV%, but will be hard-pressed to continue his strong play in an unfavourable matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes played last night, a commanding 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, but are still sizeable -253 home favourites against the Canadiens.
J.J. Moser will not play on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury, allowing Valimaki to re-enter the lineup. Valimaki last played on December 19th, recording two penalty minutes, two shots, and one hit in 20:56 time-on-ice.
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.
Primeau will start for only the second time this month and the first time since December 9th, a sensational performance where he saved 46 of 48 shots (.958 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Despite seeing very limited action between the pipes, Primeau has played pretty well when called upon, allowing nine goals across his last three starts, boasting a .918 SV%. That said, the Canadiens had to travel last night after a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild and are +104 road underdogs against a Chicago Blackhawks team that surprisingly ended a four-game losing skid with a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.
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).
Valimaki was second among Coyotes' defensemen in TOI last game with 20:56 but will be a healthy scratch Thursday vs. San Jose as Sean Durzi returns from a three-game absence. The 25-year-old Valimaki has yet to score this season but has six assists, 17 SOG, six PIMs and a +2 plus/minus in 25 games played.
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.
