Pyotr Kochetkov led the Canes to victory over the Rangers on both sides of the ice.
The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New York Rangers in a Sunday afternoon matinee at MSG thanks to a strong performance from Pyotr Kochetkov.
Not only did the Russian netminder stop 22 shots in the win, but he also led the team in points with the Hurricanes' first multi-point game by a goalie since relocation.
After the game, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour along with Kochetkov and Jack Roslovic spoke with the media in New York. Here's what they had to say:
Rod Brind'Amour
On Pyotr Kochetkov: I mean, he was good. It was a tough start. We give up a weird one right off the bat. They made a nice play, but then after that he was solid. He made... I don't know how many, but a lot of good backdoor plays. Especially on the power play. They had a few good looks and he was great for us.
On the start: Well, it wasn't even a bad shift. We got in there and whatnot, but we just missed the puck and they made a nice play. You have to tip your hat. D activated and we didn't pick him up and they put it in the net. It was a good play by them, but I thought after that, the rest of the game and especially the second period, we were pretty dialed in.
On William Carrier's goal: It was at the end of a power play so I guess it was still kind of a power play goal because their guy hadn't gotten into the play yet, but he was at the net and that's what you have to do if you want to score goals.
On if Carrier helped to drag the team into the fight: His style of play certainly helps. Staal, Martinook, those guys play like that every night. So we certainly value that and we think it rubs off.
On Jack Roslovic chipping both front teeth and still coming out to score on the ensuing power play: It's funny how that happens. Over the years, you get guys where something bad happens and then they're the guys who make the difference in the game. It's hockey, right? And now he looks like a hockey player, that's for sure. Unfortunately.
On the penalty kill: Against that team, you kind of are just holding your breath because you know they have so much talent. You come in with a game plan and you're going to give up something. It's just what you give up and then the goalie has to be there and I think that was what happened tonight. We did give up a few, but overall, I don't know how many we had to kill, but I felt it was too many. Against that team, that's playing with fire but we did a nice job.
On the penalty kill being perfect so far through December: So far so good. I don't know. Every game is about the next one and you're 0-for-0 when you start that next game. I thought tonight was a good one because we killed them all. You get some momentum and get a little bit of confidence with it. Certainly if it goes the other way you're on your heels and not sure about yourself, especially with the way we kill. We're aggressive and you want to be confident in what you're doing.
On Kochetkov's offensive outpouring: That was the game plan. We needed some offense. We'll get it from anybody.
Pyotr Kochetkov
On how he felt about his game: First period, little bit tough start. First shot, first goal. After, I think we have couple good blocked shots and couple saves and I come back. Second period, I think no chance for Rangers. We control game, control puck. It's lots of shots and last period, just good PK and teamwork.
On what changed after the tough start: I think we just play our game, you know. We just need to play our game. It's okay, bad start. Sometimes it's bullshit, you know. We can comeback. I happy we win today.
On having a two-assist game: This is my first time.
On if he considered shooting for an empty-net goal: I think about it just two seconds and puck a bit bad, so I think, 'Okay no. Just freeze.'
On going against another top Russian goalie in Igor Shesterkin: I just want to answer. He have save and then I have save. But I no think about him being Russian. I want to play good against any goalie. I just want to stop puck.
On the penalty kill: I think we always play good on penalty kill, but today I think a little bit special. It's because Rangers, for me, is top-three team with the power play and the penalty kill was very good.
On his backdoor save on Reilly Smith: I don't remember the shots. I just play. I no remember.
On what's going through his mind when he gives up an early goal: I just think about needing focus for next shot.
On if he moves on quickly from those: It's a little hard sometimes. I always think same just sometimes it works, sometimes it no works. Just life.
Jack Roslovic
On his teeth: I'm not going to show you guys.
On what changed after the start: I think we just stuck to our game. I think it was a great effort. Just keeping consistent, keeping hard on the forecheck and not giving them many chances. Not stepping off the gas. I think it was a good effort all the way through minus the first 17 seconds.
On the stick to the mouth: I thought I was going to be doing some work, but luckily no work.
On his goal: It was a great pass by Orly. I think I was just still worried about my teeth. Great pass though. Very skilled. Loved that.
On William Carrier's goal: It was a great goal from Carrier. Like I said, winning games 2-1 is a great way to diversify our wins so it's nice to do it every way.