Hurricanes goalie Kochetkov enters concussion protocol
Carolina Hurricanes netminder Pyotr Kochetkov is in concussion protocol, head coach Rod Brind'Amour confirmed Friday, according to team reporter Walt Ruff.
Kochetkov was injured in a collision with Anaheim Ducks forward Isac Lundestrom during the Hurricanes' 6-3 win on Thursday.
Oh no.
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) January 12, 2024
Pyotr Kochetkov is exiting the game for the #Canes.
After being looked at by Head Athletic Trainer Doug Bennett on the ice for a minute, #52 had to be helped off.
Antti Raanta is in. pic.twitter.com/CO9Xk8vPl1
Kochetkov is 11-7-3 with a .900 save percentage this season. However, he'd excelled in the 10 games before Thursday's abbreviated outing, boasting a 7-1-2 record and a .931 save percentage in that stretch. The 24-year-old allowed three goals on 13 shots before leaving the contest.
Antti Raanta will presumably retake the reins in the Hurricanes' crease. Carolina waived the 34-year-old, who's struggled immensely this season, on Dec. 16. The Finnish goalie is 7-5-2 with an .861 save percentage over 16 games in 2023-24.
Kochetkov is in his third campaign with the Hurricanes, though he played only three regular-season games during his first in 2021-22. He suited up for four playoff contests that spring amid injuries to Raanta and Frederik Andersen.
Andersen hasn't played since Nov. 2 due to a blood-clotting issue and is out indefinitely.