Hurricanes Get Kochetkov Injury Update Ahead of Playoffs

Carolina will have three healthy goalies for first-round series against Senators

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:26pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements of a hockey goaltender, with sharp, overlapping planes of bright blue, red, and white colors representing the Hurricanes and Senators teams.The Hurricanes' deep goaltending corps, featuring three capable netminders, will be a key factor as the team aims to advance past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Today in Raleigh

The Carolina Hurricanes will have three healthy goaltenders available for their first-round playoff series against the Ottawa Senators, as Pyotr Kochetkov has been cleared to return from a lower-body injury that has kept him out since mid-December. Kochetkov, along with rookie Brandon Bussi and veteran Frederik Andersen, will give head coach Rod Brind'Amour options in net as the Hurricanes look to advance past the first round for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup in 2006.

Why it matters

Goaltending has been a potential weakness for the Hurricanes this season, but having three capable options will allow Brind'Amour to make adjustments if needed during the high-stakes playoff run. Kochetkov's return from injury provides additional depth and experience in net as Carolina aims to build on its first-ever Eastern Conference championship.

The details

Kochetkov, 26, has not played for the Hurricanes since mid-December due to a lower-body injury that required surgery. However, he has recently suited up for two games with the team's AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, and has now been cleared to rejoin the NHL roster. Kochetkov is 6-2-0 with a 2.33 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in eight starts for the Hurricanes this season. He will now compete with Bussi, who is 31-6-2 with a 2.47 GAA and .895 SV%, and Andersen, who is 16-14-5 with a 3.05 GAA and .874 SV%, for playing time in the playoffs.

  • Kochetkov has been out of the lineup since mid-December due to injury.
  • Kochetkov recently played two games with the AHL's Chicago Wolves.
  • The Hurricanes open their first-round playoff series against the Senators this weekend.

The players

Pyotr Kochetkov

A 26-year-old goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes who has been out since mid-December due to a lower-body injury but has now been cleared to return for the playoffs.

Rod Brind'Amour

The head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes, who will have to decide which of his three healthy goaltenders to start in the first round against the Senators.

Brandon Bussi

A rookie goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes who has had a strong season, going 31-6-2 with a 2.47 goals-against average and .895 save percentage.

Frederik Andersen

A veteran goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes who has a 16-14-5 record this season with a 3.05 goals-against average and .874 save percentage.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's an interesting update after the Russian underwent surgery at the end of December; he was not expected to play again in 2025-26.”

— Colin Gallant, Author

What’s next

The Hurricanes will decide on their starting goaltender for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Senators, which is scheduled for this weekend in Raleigh.

The takeaway

The return of Pyotr Kochetkov from injury gives the Hurricanes a wealth of goaltending options heading into the playoffs, providing head coach Rod Brind'Amour with the flexibility to make adjustments if needed during their quest for the franchise's second Stanley Cup championship.