Pyotr Kochetkov is expected to start as goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes in their game against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Kochetkov, 26, participated in the morning skate as the likely starter. He has made six starts this season with a record of 5-1-0, a goals-against average of 2.10, and a save percentage of .904. His most recent performance included 15 saves and three shootout stops in a win over Philadelphia.
The lineup remains largely unchanged from Sunday’s victory, which marked the team’s fourth consecutive win. Jaccob Slavin will continue to play in a limited role as he recovers from an injury that kept him out for 29 games over two months.
Tonight’s projected forward lines are: Svechnikov-Aho-Jarvis; Ehlers-Stankoven-Blake; Carrier-Staal-Martinook; Hall-Jankowski-Robinson. The defensive pairings include Miller-Walker, Gostisbehere-Chatfield, and Slavin-Nikishin. Charles Alexis Legault is sidelined with a hand injury, while Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Mike Reilly are listed as scratches.
Power play units feature Aho, Jarvis, Staal (Blake), Svechnikov with Gostisbehere on the first unit; Blake, Ehlers, Hall and Stankoven with Nikishin on the second.
The Carolina Hurricanes are recognized for their professional ice hockey entertainment and related events according to their official website. Since moving from Hartford to Raleigh in 1997, they have played home games at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina—a venue that accommodates up to 20,000 people and hosts more than 150 events annually (source). The team also contributes over $200 million each year to the local economy through its events and community engagement efforts (source).
Eric Staal is among those honored by induction into the franchise’s Hall of Fame for his contributions (source). The Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup championship in 2006 (source).
