Carolina Hurricanes News

The Hurricanes have lost two straight and will turn to Kochetkov between the pipes on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Kochetkov has struggled lately, his worst run of the season, posting an ugly 4.61 GAA and .804 SV% in his last four games (1-3-0). The 25-year-old goalie has a 2.57 GAA and .898 SV% in 44 appearances this season (26-14-3). Still, the Hurricanes enter Tuesday's contest as sizeable -204 road favorites against a Sabres team riding a four-game winning streak.

The Hurricanes have lost two straight and will turn to Kochetkov between the pipes on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Kochetkov has struggled lately, his worst run of the season, posting an ugly 4.61 GAA and .804 SV% in his last four games (1-3-0). The 25-year-old goalie has a 2.57 GAA and .898 SV% in 44 appearances this season (26-14-3). Still, the Hurricanes enter Tuesday's contest as sizeable -204 road favorites against a Sabres team riding a four-game winning streak.

Staal has not played since March 28th due to a lower-body ailment but returned to practice on Monday, and will return to the lineup on Tuesday. The 36-year-old Staal is averaging 15:26 time-on-ice and has 33 points (12G / 21A) in 71 games this season.

Svechnikov has not played since April 2nd and has only played three games in the last month, but made his return to practice on Monday, and will play on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Svechnikov is averaging 17:12 time-on-ice and has 45 points (19G / 26A) in 66 games this season.

Kotkaniemi is expected to miss at least the remainder of the week but should return to the lineup before the end of the season. The 24-year-old Kotkaniemi is averaging 14:00 time-on-ice and has 31 points (11G / 20A) in 76 games this season.

Ehlers is battling a foot injury and did not play on Saturday but was a full participant at the team's morning skate on Monday. The 29-year-old Ehlers is averaging 15:56 time-on-ice and has 63 points (24G / 39A) in 67 games this season. He is one point away from the career-high 64 points (25G / 39A) he has in the 2016-17 season.

Miller was absent from practice on Sunday due to an illness and will be held out of the lineup on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 25-year-old Miller is averaging 21:59 time-on-ice and has 23 points (7G / 16A) in 70 games this season.

Kotkaniemi did not play Carolina's previous game due to an undisclosed injury but could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 24-year-old Kotkaniemi is averaging 14:00 time-on-ice and has 31 points (11G / 20A) in 76 games this season.

Ehlers is battling a foot injury and did not play on Saturday but was a full participant at the team's morning skate on Monday. The 29-year-old Ehlers is averaging 15:56 time-on-ice and has 63 points (24G / 39A) in 67 games this season. He is one point away from the career-high 64 points (25G / 39A) he has in the 2016-17 season.

Svechnikov has not played since April 2nd and has only played three games in the last month, but made his return to practice on Monday. It's unclear if Svechnikov's most recent ailment is related to his injury in early March but his return to practice is an encouraging sign. The 25-year-old Svechnikov is averaging 17:12 time-on-ice and has 45 points (19G / 26A) in 66 games this season.

Staal has not played since March 28th due to a lower-body ailment but returned to practice on Monday. The 36-year-old Staal is averaging 15:26 time-on-ice and has 33 points (12G / 21A) in 71 games this season.

Carrier had surgery in mid January to address a lower-body injury and finally made his return to practice after over three months of being sidelined. The 30-year-old Carrier was averaging 11:37 time-on-ice, recording nine points (4G / 5A) and 136 hits in 39 games before his injury.

Miller was absent from practice on Sunday due to an illness but could return to the lineup on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 25-year-old Miller is averaging 21:59 time-on-ice and has 23 points (7G / 16A) in 70 games this season.

Ehlers is battling an undisclosed ailment and his status is up in the air for Saturday's game against the Utah Hockey Club. The 29-year-old Ehlers is averaging 15:56 time-on-ice and has 63 points (24G / 39A) in 67 games this season. He is one point away from the career-high 64 points (25G / 39A) he has in the 2016-17 season.