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.
Chatfield last played on November 6th due to a concussion, but has rejoined Carolina at practice earlier this week and could 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.
The Hurricanes remain committed to their three-goalie rotation, and will turn to Bussi on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Bussi struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%), but salvaged a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old first-year NHLer has a 2.60 GAA and .898 SV% in five games (4-1-0). The Hurricanes enter Friday's contest as -143 road favorites against a Jets team on a two-game winning streak.
The Hurricanes remain committed to their three-goalie rotation, and will turn to Bussi on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Bussi struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%), but salvaged a 5-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old first-year NHLer has a 2.60 GAA and .898 SV% in five games (4-1-0). The Hurricanes enter Friday's contest as -143 road favorites against a Jets team on a two-game winning streak.
The Hurricanes have received stellar netminding from Pyotr Kochetkov since his debut in early November, but the team has remained committed to alternating its goalies and will turn to Andersen on Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 36-year-old Andersen has been far from spectacular this season, allowing three or more goals in eight of 10 contests (5-4-1), posting a 3.10 GAA and .886 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Wednesday's contest as -158 road favorites against a Wild team that has points in five straight games (4-0-1) despite scoring two or fewer goals three times.
The Hurricanes have received stellar netminding from Pyotr Kochetkov since his debut in early November, but the team has remained committed to alternating its goalies and will likely turn to Andersen on Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 36-year-old Andersen has been far from spectacular this season, allowing three or more goals in eight of 10 contests (5-4-1), posting a 3.10 GAA and .886 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Wednesday's contest as -158 road favorites against a Wild team that has points in five straight games (4-0-1) despite scoring two or fewer goals three times.
Chatfield last played on November 6th due to a concussion but has rejoined Carolina at practice on Tuesday and is one step closer to returning to their lineup. 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. He has the potential to return as early as Wednesday.
The Hurricanes will keep their two man rotation in order on Monday as Kochetkov makes his fourth start of the season. The 26-year-old netminder kept his perfect record intact in his last start, stopping 14 of the 17 shots he faced in a 4-3 overtime win over the Canucks on Friday. Kochetkov brings a 3-0-0 record and a .906 SV% into Monday night's game in Boston, where the Hurricanes enter action at -190 on the money line.
