After defeating the New Jersey Devils 3-2 yesterday, the Canadiens will turn to Primeau between the pipes on the back end of a back-to-back. Primeau has played only one game this month, a stellar performance in a 3-2 losing effort to the Philadelphia Flyers when he allowed two goals on 39 shots (.949 SV%). The Canadiens are +159 road underdogs against a rested Ottawa Senators team that has lost six of their last seven (1-6-0).
Antti Raanta has been serviceable filling in for Kochetkov over the last two games, but the Hurricanes will be eager to get him back in the crease, and his presence at practice the last two days is a promising sign that he should be ready to return shortly. The Hurricanes' next game is on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings.
If Ehlers is unable to play against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, it will be a crushing blow for a team already without Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, putting their eight-game winning streak at risk. After starting the season with only 11 points (6G / 5A) in his first 22 games, Ehlers has flipped a switch, scoring 22 points (9G / 13A) in 19 games, partly coinciding with increased playing time due to Connor's absence from the lineup.
Perets was recalled on Friday as Pyotr Kochetkov is in concussion protocol and remains out of the lineup indefinitely after exiting Thursday's contest against the Anaheim Ducks. Perets, who has a .906 SV% and 2.62 GAA in 15 games with the Norfolk Admirals of the ECHL, will likely serve as the backup to Antti Raanta while Kochetkov is out of the lineup.
Kochetkov was replaced by Antti Raanta late in Thursday's victory over the Anaheim Ducks and needed to be assisted off the ice. The Hurricanes net likely belongs to Raanta in the interim while we wait for a more definitive timeline for Kochetkov's return to the lineup.
Kochetkov suffered the injury late in the second period and had to be helped off the ice. He was replaced by Antti Raanta. We should expect to receive an update on Kochetkov's injury and a possible timeline for his return to the crease following the completion of Thursday's game.
A well-rested Kochetkov, who has not played since January 5th, will return to the crease on Thursday in search of his fifth straight victory. The 24-year-old Kochetkov has been tremendous during his four-game winning streak, allowing two or fewer goals in each contest, posting a terrific .936 SV%. Kochetkov and the Hurricanes have a favourable matchup as -335 home favourites against an Anaheim Ducks squad that snapped a five-game losing streak in their most recent contest, a 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators.
A well-rested Kochetkov, who has not played since January 5th, will likely return to the crease on Thursday in search of his fifth straight victory. The 24-year-old Kochetkov has been tremendous during his four-game winning streak, allowing two or fewer goals in each contest, posting a terrific .936 SV%. Kochetkov and the Hurricanes have a favourable matchup as -335 home favourites against an Anaheim Ducks squad that snapped a five-game losing streak in their most recent contest, a 5-3 win over the Nashville Predators.
Carrier did not play the last game for the Golden Knights, has only played two of the last six, and has been placed on IR with an upper-body injury. Carrier has been held off the scoresheet in his last three games while registering three shots and four hits.
Fast has missed the last three games due to an upper-body injury but appears set to return on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. Fast has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 37 games this season while playing predominantly on a line with Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook.
Primeau will make his first start of 2024 on Wednesday when the Canadiens visit the Philadelphia Flyers. In his last outing, Primeau allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Flyers have struggled lately, losing five of their last six (1-3-2) and are coming off a one-side 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.
Kochetkov will make his ninth consecutive start as he goes for his fourth straight win Friday in Washington. The 24-year-old has done well since the Hurricanes' crease was handed to him in the middle of December, with his 10-7-3 record, 2.53 GAA, .904 SV% and one shutout on the season. He will take on the Capitals on the road, who have lost five of their last six games and are 30th in the NHL in goals per game (2.36).
Kochetkov has been solid for the Hurricanes over the last month and will return to the crease for the seventh time in the last eight games on Tuesday. Kochetkov has helped the Hurricanes collect at least a point in seven of his last eight games (5-1-2), posting a tremendous .930 SV%, giving the team high-caliber goaltending that they had been lacking all season. That said, the Hurricanes are +110 road underdogs against the New York Rangers, a team that is coming off a commanding 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning and has been atop the Eastern Conference for most of the season.
With Jesper Fast (upper body) out indefinitely, Brendan Lemieux will draw back into the Hurricane's lineup for the first time since December 9th. The 27-year-old scrappy left-winger has made brief appearances for Carolina this year as he has two goals, eight SOG, and 33 PIMs while only averaging 7:10 TOI.
Kochetkov has been solid for the Hurricanes over the last month and will likely return to the crease for the seventh time in the last eight games on Tuesday. Kochetkov has helped the Hurricanes collect at least a point in seven of his last eight games (5-1-2), posting a tremendous .930 SV%, giving the team high-caliber goaltending that they had been lacking all season. That said, the Hurricanes are +110 road underdogs against the New York Rangers, a team that is coming off a commanding 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning and has been atop the Eastern Conference for most of the season.
Fast took a high hit from Noah Gregor on Friday and did not return to the game. Fast was not on the ice for Monday's practice and will miss some time. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour did not a timeline for Fast's return.
Carrier missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury but will draw back into the lineup on Monday. Carrier has scored five goals with two assists (seven points) in 31 games this season.
