Canes in MSG: Puck Drop 7PM

[Anybodyhome]

The Canes enjoy a 4-point lead over the NY Rangers heading into tonight's game. The Rangers are favored on home ice facing a rookie goalie in Pyotr Kochetkov. Carolina holds a 2-1 season series lead, but all bets are off with the division title coming down to the last 2 games for the Canes and last 3 for the Rangers.

My brother-in-law is a huge Rangers fan living just a few minutes outside NYC, so a win tonight will be huge bragging rights for me.

Last Time Out: The Canes Got off to a great start Sunday on Long Island, taking a two-goal lead in the first. Then, in the second, they not only lost their lead, they lost starting goaltender Antti Raanta due to injury as well. In came Pyotr Kochetkov, who, after allowing a goal on his first shot against, shut the door in relief. The 22-year-old rookie made seven stops over the remaining 34 minutes, going on to earn his second NHL win in his second appearance after Max Domi scored the game-winning goal to start the third.

Cardiac Canes: Sunday's victory was the third victory in four days for Carolina, who managed to earn their wins in unique ways each time out. Thursday at home against Winnipeg they trailed 2-0 with one minute to go in the second period of play. Saturday in New Jersey they scored twice in the final 4:36 of regulation to force overtime. As the saying goes, "good teams find ways to win" and that's what the group has done within the past week.

Goaltending Depth Tested: While his status for tonight's game remains unknown, the Raanta situation still warrants a look at the entire landscape of the position within the organization. Frederik Andersen is set to be reevaluated within the next few days after suffering a lower-body injury on Saturday, April 16 in Denver. Alex Lyon, who has led the team's AHL affiliate in Chicago in games played this season, also suffered an injury this month and is currently tabbed as "hopeful to return for playoffs". Eetu Makinemi, who started the season 11-2-1 in Chicago (AHL), went down with an injury in December and has not played since. Beck Warm, who was the next available option after Makiniemi, has not played since February due to injury. So, after Kochetkov, Jack LaFontaine, who signed with the team mid-season while playing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, are the only other two healthy and available netminder under contract.

Let The Kid Cook: Rookie Seth Jarvis scored one of Carolina's first period goals on Sunday, moving his current point streak to five games for the first time in his NHL career. It was also the third consecutive game of the streak that has involved a goal.

Power Play Momentum: After starting the month 0-for-17 on the man advantage, Carolina has made strides forward as of late. Scoring in three of their last five, the power play has been pinpointed as something to get right before the playoffs begin next week.

Playing The Full 60: The Canes have a league-best +46 goal differential in the third period thus far this season. Including a 10-1 ratio within the last week alone, the group has proven to never be out of games in the third, while at the same time displaying a killer instinct to put teams away.

500 For Domi: Forward Max Domi will play in his 500th NHL game tonight. Carolina's 2022 Trade Deadline Day acquisition was drafted 12th overall by Phoenix in 2012 and now ten years later has played for a total of four organizations. He played 222 games with Arizona, 153 with Montreal, 107 with Columbus and tonight will be his 18th as a member of the Canes.

A Look At The Other Side: The Rangers fell two points behind Carolina in the division on Saturday after losing to the Boston Bruins, 3-1. Then, the Canes win Sunday on Long Island put them four back. Whether they get into the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the number one or number two seed from the Metro, the Rangers will be a serious threat to any opponent. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin remains in the driver's seat to win the Vezina Trophy as the league's best goalie, currently pacing the league in both save percentage (.936 SV) and goals against average (2.03). However, they're not just a defensive one-trick pony. Their power play ranks third in the league at 26.2% and they have the skater with the third-most goals in the league in Chris Kreider (51).

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Milestones Within Reach: Tonight will be Max Domi's 500th NHL game. Teuvo Teravainen is one goal shy of 100 as a member of the team. Sebastian Aho is one point shy of 400 for his NHL career

[NCTHFL0567]

Supposedly, while Raanta seems healthy enough. Pyotr should be starting. HUGE test for the dude. Lets see what he's got. 

[Anybodyhome]

[Anybodyhome]

[NCTHFL0567]

24 minutes ago, Anybodyhome said:

Indeed. Read that yesterday. 

[MillionDollarCam]

What a whirlwind of a year for Pyotr… young kid is playing in the KHL just a few months ago, comes over to the big city of Chicago and tears it up there and now has a chance to lead the Canes to a division title… life comes at you fast.

[Panthers Fan 69]

Just win baby!  Rangers need to win out. Canes need 1 out of the last 2. 
 

lets go to work. 

[Anybodyhome]

NEW YORK, NY. - Pyotr Kochetkov will face the biggest test of his young NHL career Tuesday, starting in net for the Carolina Hurricanes against the New York Rangers.

Kochetkov made his NHL debut on Saturday against the Devils, earning a win by stopping 17 out of 19. Then, during Sunday's second period against the Islanders, the 22-year-old entered in relief when Antti Raanta went down with an injury. After the first shot beat him, he locked it down to go 7/7 the rest of the way, earning a second victory in as many days.

On the Raanta front, he is expected to back up Kochetkov tonight, a welcomed sign after being forced out of the game in what looked like clear lower-body pain. Rod Brind'Amour said after morning skate that it does not appear to be a serious injury and that Raanta could play tonight if he had to, but there's no point in putting someone in there who isn't 100%.

Brind'Amour was also asked about Frederik Andersen, to which the head coach said that he did not have an update today, but he is hoping to get one tomorrow.

Up front, Vincent Trocheck comes back in after being rested for the victory on Long Island. Steven Lorentz comes out as a result. Additionally, Andrei Svechnikov bumps up to play alongside Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, a role that had been held as of late by Teuvo Teravainen.

Domi moves up to the 2nd line with Vinnie and Turbo.

Stepan- will he step up again tonight when he takes charge of the 4th line between Martinook and Necas?

Forwards:

Svechnikov - Aho - Jarvis

Domi - Trocheck - Teravainen

Niederreiter - Staal - Fast

Martinook - Stepan - Necas

Defensemen:

Slavin - DeAngelo

Skjei - Pesce

Smith - Cole

Starting Goalie:

Kochetkov

Injuries:

Frederik Andersen

Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Scratches:

Ethan Bear

Steven Lorentz

[MillionDollarCam]

What’s going on with Tripp?

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

Kochetkov good so far.

[MillionDollarCam]

It appears that Tripp is struggling with some substance abuse issues right now, which is the reason for his absence… prayers for him, hope he gets the help that he needs.

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

This Pyotr Guy is gonna be pretty good

[MillionDollarCam]

Pyotr’s movement is a little all over the place at times but his size and quickness makes up for it.

Playing well.

Edited April 26, 2022 by MillionDollarCam

[TrevorLaurenceTime22]

2 minutes ago, MillionDollarCam said:

Pyotr’s movement is a little all over the place at times but his size and quickness makes up for it.

Playing well.

Similar to Mrazek and Nedeljkovic except with more size and "compete" I think we would be down two with Raata in net.