Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov will get the start on Thursday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the visiting New York Rangers, coach Rod Brind'Amour announced.
Brind'Amour also told reporters that he wants Frederik Andersen to get rest. The Hurricanes trail 2-0 in the best-of-seven series heading into Game 3 in Raleigh, N.C.
Kochetkov, 24, last played in a game on April 14. He posted a 23-13-4 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 42 games (40 starts) this season. He is 38-20-9 with a 2.37 GAA and .910 save percentage in 69 career games (65 starts).
Andersen, 34, turned aside 19 of 23 shots in a 4-3 series-opening loss to the Rangers on Sunday and 35 of 39 in a 4-3 double-overtime setback on Tuesday. He has started all seven games played by Carolina in the playoffs, posting a 4-3 record with a 2.58 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.
Andersen returned from a four-plus-month absence due to a blood-clotting issue on March 7. On the season, he had a 13-2-0 record with a 1.84 GAA and .932 save percentage in 16 games (all starts).
Andersen has appeared in 495 career games (481 starts) with the Anaheim Ducks (2013-16), Toronto Maple Leafs (2016-21) and Hurricanes. He is a two-time winner of the William M. Jennings Trophy.
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