Carolina Hurricanes News

With Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body) still sidelined, Rod Brind’Amour and the Hurricanes coaching staff are rewarding Brandon Bussi with consecutive starts. The 27-year-old Bussi had a light night in Friday’s 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets, but was near perfect, saving 12 of 13 shots (.923 SV%). The 27-year-old first-year NHLer looks to improve his 2.43 GAA and .899 SV% through seven games (6-1-0) when he tends the twine on Sunday against the Calgary Flames.

Robidas appeared in two games during his call-up but gets sent back to the AHL with Jordan Staal expected to return to the lineup. Robidas has 12 points (4G / 8A) in 16 AHL games this season.

With Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body) sidelined, the Hurricanes are relying on the services of Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi, who will tend the twine on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 27-year-old Bussi has been serviceable since making his NHL debut earlier this season, posting a 2.67 GAA and .897 SV% in six games (5-1-0). If Kochetkov's injury lingers, Bussi has an opportunity to see an increased workload if he can outduel his counterpart, Frederik Andersen.

With Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body) sidelined, Andersen will tend the twine on Wednesday against the New York Rangers. Andersen has lost four straight outings (0-2-2), posting a .854 SV%, and is off to arguably the worst start of his career. The 36-year-old netminder has allowed three or more goals in all but two of his 12 games this season (5-5-2). Still, the Hurricanes enter Wednesday's contest as -185 home favorites against a Rangers team that is in the bottom half of the league offensively (2.5 GF/GP).

Nikita Grebenkin will draw back into Philadelphia's lineup on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers, resulting in Deslaurier being a healthy scratch. The 34-year-old Deslauriers has been in and out of the lineup all season, recording 39 hits, 15 penalty minutes, and zero points through 11 games.

Staal did not play in Carolina's most recent game, and will likely miss a second consecutive game due to an illness. The 37-year-old Staal is coming off his best outing of the season, a two-goal performance in a 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Staal is averaging 15:17 time-on-ice and has nine points (7G / 2A) in 21 games this season.

With Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body) sidelined, Andersen will likely tend the twine on Wednesday against the New York Rangers. Andersen has lost four straight outings (0-2-2), posting a .854 SV%, and is off to arguably the worst start of his career. The 36-year-old netminder has allowed three or more goals in all but two of his 12 games this season (5-5-2). Still, the Hurricanes enter Wednesday's contest as -185 home favorites against a Rangers team that is in the bottom half of the league offensively (2.5 GF/GP).

Robias was impressive in his NHL debut last season, scoring two points (1G / 1A) in two games with the Hurricanes. The 22-year-old fifth-round pick from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft has yet to play an NHL game this season and has 12 points (4G / 8A) in 16 games with the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

Miller missed some time earlier this season due to an injury and was banged up in Carolina's previous game, but he is expected to play on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Miller is averaging a career-high 22:52 time-on-ice and has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 16 games this season.

Kochetkov missed the opening month of the season due to a lower-body injury that he has seemingly re-aggravated. It's unclear whether the injury will keep him out of this lineup, but it is a concerning development after he was unable to practice on Tuesday. The 26-year-old Kochetkov has been outstanding between the pipes since making his season debut earlier this month for the Hurricanes, posting a 1.70 GAA and .926 SV% in five appearances (4-0-0). If Kochetkov misses any time, expect Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen to share the crease for the Hurricanes.

Staal did not play in Carolina's most recent game, but will likely return to the lineup on Wednesday. The 37-year-old Staal is coming off his best outing of the season, a two-goal performance in a 4-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Staal is averaging 15:17 time-on-ice and has nine points (7G / 2A) in 21 games this season.

Nikishin was a healthy scratch in Winnipeg on Friday, but will draw back into the lineup on Sunday. The Hurricanes did not announce who Nikishin will replace in the leinup. He has picked up eight points (2G / 6A) and a plus-14 rating in 20 games this season.

Andersen allowed three goals on 19 shots in the Hurricanes shootout loss in Minnesota on Wednesday. Andersen has struggled in his last six outings, losing five of them (1-3-2) while posting an .866 SV%. This afternoon he'll face a Sabres team that is getting healthier, but the Hurricanes are large -183 road favourites.

Nikishin will be the odd-man out on Friday in order to make room for Jalen Chatfield, who is back in the lineup after suffering a concussion. Nikishin has appeared in 20 games this season, registering two goals and six assists.

Chatfield last played on November 6th due to a concussion, but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 29-year-old stay-at-home defensemen is in his sixth season in Carolina and has three assists, eight PIMs and 20 SOG in 13 GP this season.