The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that Pyotr Kochetkov will be out indefinitely with an upper-body injury after leaving last night’s game vs. Anaheim Ducks after making contact with Isac Lundestrom at the 13:56 mark of the second period, and he did not return. This season, Carolina has had their issues in net, but Kochetkov has been one of the bright spots this season as he’s put up an 11-7-3 record with a 2.58 GAA, .900 SV%, and one shutout in 23 appearances.
With Kochetkov out, the Canes will look for Antti Raanta to take on a bulk of the load moving forward. Raanta was previously placed on waivers by the Hurricanes but, since being recalled, has looked solid in his two starts as he made 18 saves vs. Montreal on December 28th in a 5-3 win and stopped 21 of 22 in a shootout loss vs. St.Louis Blues on January 6th. The 34-year goaltender is 7-5-2 this year with a 3.36 GAA, .861 SV%, and one shutout. Carolina will also be recalling Yaniv Perets from Norfolk; Perets had a stint earlier in the season when Raanta was sent to Chicago.
