Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour confirmed Friday that goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov is in concussion protocol after exiting Thursday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.
Kochetkov was injured after a collision with Ducks forward Isac Lundstrom, who was pushed into the crease by Hurricanes defenseman Dmitry Orlov.
With Frederik Andersen still out, and now Kochetkov out of action, the Hurricanes are set to call up ECHL rookie Yaniv Perets later today, according to Hurricanes team reporter Walt Ruff.
The news is a big blow for Kochetkov, currently in his third NHL season, but still eligible for the Calder Trophy. He’s currently riding a six-game winning streak and is 9-1-2 since Dec. 12. His play has helped turn the Hurricanes season around, especially after Kochetkov – who started as the team’s third goaltender – started the season off with a 1-4-0 record.
Antti Raanta – who was sent to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves for a two-game stint back in December – should start in net until Kochetkov returns. He’s riding an 8-5-2 record with one shutout, but boasts a measly .862 save percentage in what’s been the worst season of his NHL career.
Perets, meanwhile, was called up to replace Raanta last month, but didn’t see any NHL action. He currently has a 6-8-1 record with the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals in his first season of pro hockey after helping Quinnipiac win its first NCAA national championship last year.
With a 6-3 win over Anaheim Thursday, the Canes haven’t lost a game in regulation in four outings in 2024. They’re set to host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7:00 PM ET Saturday evening before finishing off a four-game homestand against Los Angeles Monday afternoon at 3:00 PM.
The Hurricanes sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 51 points, three behind the New York Rangers and three ahead of the Islanders.
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