Kochetkov will take the Hurricanes' crease for a second straight start after stopping 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a victory over Columbus last game. The 24-year-old has mostly struggled in 2023-24, with his 2-4-0 record, 2.91 GAA and .881 SV%. He heads to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers who have won six of their last eight games and are fifth in the NHL in shots per game (32.3).
Reilly carries a $1 million cap hit for the 2023-24 season and has been claimed by the New York Islanders Saturday after being placed on waivers from the Florida Panthers. The 30-year-old defensemen has not been able to get it going this year due to consistent healthy scratches as he has yet to put up a point to go along with seven SOG and two PIMs in two games this season.
Primeau will start for the fourth time this season and the first time since allowing six goals on 42 shots (.857 SV%) in a 6-5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on November 16th. Primeau has had mixed results this season, posting a 3.97 GAA and .885 SV% through three games (1-2-0), but will get an opportunity to shine Friday afternoon against the low-scoring San Jose Sharks. The Sharks have scored one goal or fewer in 13 of their 19 games this season, ranking 32nd in the league offensively, scoring only 1.47 goals per game.
Taylor Hall was acquired in the offseason for two players but has endured a season filled with injuries and will now be out for the remainder of the 2023-24 season as he undergoes right knee surgery. The 32-year-old left-winger ends his season with two goals, two assists, 20 SOG, four PIMs, and a -3 plus/minus in 10 games played.
Katchouk will slide into the Blackhawks' lineup, his first game since November 16th, replacing Taylor Hall, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury. Hall has four points (2G / 2A) in 10 games this season, averaging 16:20 time-on-ice and played most recently on a line with Tyler Johnson and Taylor Raddysh.
Robinson has a goal, three assists, and a +3 plus/minus in nine games with Cleveland (AHL) but has been recalled to Columbus Tuesday. The 28-year-old left-winger will head to the Blue Jackets for a second time this season and has only appeared in one game so far without a point after appearing in 139 games across the last two seasons. In 2022-23, he had 12 goals and 24 points in 72 games with Columbus.
Hall has missed the Blackhawks' previous two games due to a lower-body injury and will take warmups and be a game-time decision Saturday vs. Nashville. The 32-year-old is in his first season in Chicago after an offseason trade from Boston, and has two goals, two assists, 15 SOG, four PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through eight injury riddled games so far in 2023-24.
The 28th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft has yet to make his NHL debut but had 32 points (13G / 19A) in 50 AHL games a season ago. Suzuki will start his 2023-24 campaign with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL.
Primaeu will start his second game of the season when the Canadiens take on the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. On November 9th against the Detroit Red Wings, Primeau put together a terrific effort for his first victory, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%). Despite being serviceable in limited action this season, optimism is low for Primeau and the Canadiens on Thursday as they are +172 home underdogs against the defending Stanely Cup Champion Golden Knights. That said, Vegas has lost three of their last four games (1-3-0), held to two goals or fewer in three of them.
Kochetkov will start his second consecutive game for the Hurricanes as the 24-year-old Russian netminder is reeling after a 22-save, 4-0 shutout victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Before his strong performance on Saturday, Kochetkov had lost all three appearances (0-3-0), allowing 11 goals on 67 shots (.836 SV%). The Hurricanes will hope to keep things rolling for Kochetkov on Wednesday as they are -248 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team on a two-game winning streak.
Valimaki exited the ice under his power immediately after taking a Jani Hakanpaa slapshot directly to the face, leaving a trail of blood behind him. Unfortunately for Valimaki and the Coyotes, it appears to be a significant injury. Valimaki has played in all 15 games for the Coyotes, tallying four points (0G / 4A) and 10 shots while averaging 18:13 time-on-ice.
Kochetkov will likely start his second consecutive game for the Hurricanes as the 24-year-old Russian netminder is reeling after a 22-save, 4-0 shutout victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Before his strong performance on Saturday, Kochetkov had lost all three appearances (0-3-0), allowing 11 goals on 67 shots (.836 SV%). The Hurricanes will hope to keep things rolling for Kochetkov on Wednesday as they are -248 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team on a two-game winning streak.
