Apr 27, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (52) makes a save against New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. (Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b77ff4c8-5ed8-4f70-a6c4-f57fc112f637.jpeg] Apr 27, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (52) makes a save against New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt (63) during the second period in game four of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. (Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images) The Carolina Hurricanes will be turning to 25-year-old, Russian netminder Pyotr Kochetkov tonight to try and close out their first-round series against the New Jersey Devils. Starting netminder Frederik Andersen is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury following his Game 4 collision with Devils forward Timo Meier [https://thehockeynews.com/shortUrl/ci7OQaq], so it's all up to the kid to help his team win Game 5. "Here's what I'll tell you, he's day-to-day and he's out tonight, for sure," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour on Andersen. "That's all I've got for you." Kochetkov was manning the starter's crease this morning — opposite him was Spencer Martin, who was recalled this morning — and so he looks to be in line for just his third career postseason start. "It's obviously not great when you see Freddie go down like that, but we know we have Kooch to back him up," said Jackson Blake. "He's, in my opinion, still one of the best goalies in the entire league. He's unbelievable." The Russian has made seven playoff appearances, nearly all due to injury relief, and he's posted a 1-4-0 record and a 0.870 save percentage in those games. However, he had a 0.933 save percentage in Game 4 [https://thehockeynews.com/shortUrl/msAAu8D]after entering for Andersen, stopping 14 of the 15 shots he faced. "I'm sure it helps that he got a little action the other night," Brind'Amour said. "But we've had a lot of layoffs and he's come back from different things and didn't really miss a beat." "[I'm] a little bit older now and I'm more ready and I more understand how to be more ready for practice, ready for games if I no play," Kochetkov said following Sunday's game [https://thehockeynews.com/shortUrl/92UKW8I]. "I just try to not change much every season. Try to do what I can in practice and await my chance." Kochetkov started 47 games for the Hurricanes this season, finishing the year with a 27-16-3 record and a 0.897 save percentage. "We probably would have definitely considered putting him in this game anyway and he's played half the games this year or more, so this isn't like we're putting in a guy that we don't trust or hasn't played a ton of games for us," Brind'Amour said. "We have a lot of faith in him." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be sure to check out the Carolina Hurricanes 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Hub [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/latest-news/carolina-hurricanes-2025-stanley-cup-playoffs-hub] for all postseason stories! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwmeDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to never miss a story.
