Carolina Hurricanes’ goalie Frederik Andersen is out for Game 5 against New Jersey after being injured in the second period of Game 4. In his place, Pyotr Kochetkov will make his first start of the series, and Spencer Martin has been called up as backup.
Andersen suffered an undisclosed injury when Timo Meier crashed into him in the crease during the game. The Canes lead the series 3-1 and have a chance to close it out at home ice on Tuesday.
“We have a lot of faith in [Kochetkov],” said Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour. “He’s played half the games this year, so we’d have considered putting him in anyway.”
Kochetkov made his playoff debut on Sunday and allowed one goal on 15 shots after Andersen left the game.
The Canes defeated New Jersey 5-2 in Game 4 on Sunday, with Andrei Svechnikov scoring three goals. Svechnikov has four goals for the playoffs so far, including a hat-trick at home, and is starting to regain his form after missing several games due to injury.
“Unbelievable,” Svechnikov laughed about waking up to a sea of hats on his front lawn Monday morning. “I have good neighbors.”
With Kochetkov between the pipes, the Canes look to close out the series at home and move forward with their playoff run.
Source: https://www.wralsportsfan.com/andersen-out-martin-called-up-as-canes-try-to-close-out-devils-in-game-5/21982167