When it comes to Carolina Hurricanes goaltending this season the majority of the talk is about rookie sensation, Pyotr Kochetkov, who is just 23 years old and putting up excellent numbers in his rookie campaign.
Earlier this season Don Waddell, the team’s president, and general manager, locked down the goaltender to a four-year contract extension worth $8 million.
Kochetkov or “Koochie” as most Hurricanes fans call him has played in 18 games posting a 10-4-4 record. The Penza, Russian native has put up a 2.30 GAA and a .914 save percentage along with 3 shutouts since being recalled on November 8th.
The kid is a straight-out stud but has seemed to hit a wall, losing his last three starts and allowing 4 goals in all three games. While Frederik Andersen was out, Kochetkov shared the net with veteran goaltender Antti Raanta.
The 33-year-old Antti Raanta, also known as “Father Finn” around the locker room, has been steady and reliable for Carolina when they needed him. Raanta has played 16 games and put up a 10-2-3 record with a 2.63 GAA and a .894 save percentage.
While Rannta’s GAA and save percentage are not nearly as good as Kochetkov’s, the veteran goaltender has found ways to win games for the Canes.
The NHL announced Raanta as the “Third Star” for the week ending January 1.
During that week Raanta registered a 3-0-0 record, 1.30 goals-against average, .944 save percentage, and two shutouts in his three starts.
Since December 17, Raanta is 6-0-1 and posted back-to-back shutouts on December 27 against Chicago stopping all 24 shots faced, and again on December 30 against Florida stopping 19 shots.
“Father Fin” held opponents scoreless for 163:54 over the span of four games from December 23 to January 1, cementing the longest of any goaltender this season so far.
Raanta went on to finish this stretch with his first shootout win as a Carolina Hurricane against the New Jersey Devils. Giving the Hurricanes their 11th straight win at the time and taking down their fellow Metropolitan leader.
The Canes would go on to lose their next 4 games where scoring goals was not the problem but average goaltending was. The Canes took on the Columbus Blue Jackets and Frederik Andersen, the former number-one goaltender prior to his injury, was set to make his return.
Frederik Andersen is back.
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) January 12, 2023
After missing over two months due to a lower-body injury, the netminder leads the #Canes toward the ice for warmups tonight in Columbus. pic.twitter.com/hnP1t1suH0
Frederik Andersen, prior to Thursday’s start, had been out since Nov. 6 with a lower-body injury.
The 33-year-old had missed the team’s previous 29 games. Before getting injured, Andersen played in 8 games and posted a 5-3-0 record with a 2.72 GAA and .891 save percentage.
Andersen allowed two goals on 23 shots in Thursday’s 6-2 win over Columbus. It was the perfect time for Andersen to return and get the team back in the win column. Freddie is now 6-3-0 with a 2.64 GAA and a .893 save percentage.
It is still uncertain what the team will do with all three goaltenders, but given their history with injuries between the pipes, I assume they will carry all three as long as it complies with the cap.
How do they split up the practice time with just two nets and three goalies?
How will they all split starts without causing rust?
These are the two pivotal questions for Jason Muzzatti, the team’s goaltending coach. The coaching staff under Rod Brind’Amour and the front office under Don Waddell have always done an excellent job at managing these situations, fans will eagerly watch what they do with three good goalies in the coming weeks.
Welcome back, Freddie! pic.twitter.com/bn5CwYdAR2
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) January 13, 2023