Hurricanes get Andersen back vs. Blue Jackets after lengthy absence

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen started against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, and his return was a success.

Andersen stopped 21 of 23 shots in a 6-2 victory.

He missed the Hurricanes' previous 29 contests due to a lower-body injury. The 33-year-old last played on Nov. 6, surrendering three goals on 21 shots against the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of his former teams.

Carolina activated Andersen off injured reserve Wednesday.

The Danish netminder put up a 5-3-0 record to go along with an .891 save percentage this season before going down with the ailment. Andersen ranked fourth in Vezina Trophy voting in 2021-22, while he and Antti Raanta won the William M. Jennings Trophy after allowing the fewest goals against as a tandem. However, Andersen tore an MCL and didn't suit up during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Raanta and rookie Pyotr Kochetkov held down the fort in Andersen's absence. Raanta has posted a 7-2-2 record since his running mate landed on the sidelines, while Kochetkov made a convincing push for the Calder Trophy by going 10-4-4 with a .914 save percentage and three shutouts.

The Hurricanes must now decide whether they'd like to carry three goalies on the roster or explore another option, such as sending Kochetkov, who is waiver exempt, down to the AHL's Chicago Wolves. The 23-year-old has posted the best numbers in the crease for the club this season, but he's cooled off lately, going 0-3-0 with a .842 save percentage in his last three starts.

Carolina was mired in a four-game winless streak after recently rattling off 11 straight victories.

The Hurricanes entered Thursday occupying first place in the Metropolitan Division with a 25-9-7 record.