Andersen To Return With Hurricanes On Thursday
The keeper has missed the last 29 games with a lower body injury.
Frederik Andersen could return to action when the Carolina Hurricanes play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; BSSO, BSOH, ESPN+, SN NOW).
The 33-year-old goaltender, who has missed the last 29 games with a lower-body injury sustained in November, took part in a full practice Wednesday and traveled with the team to Columbus.
“He’s going to take part in the morning session (Thursday) and be more involved with the rest of the group, which is great,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “He’s getting closer. Everything is possible, but we are increasing the level of intensity with him. »
Andersen Goals
In eight games, Andersen is 5-3-0 with a 2.72 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. His last start was Nov. 6, when he made 18 saves in a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Antti Raanta did not train on Wednesday. He backed up Pyotr Kochetkov in a 5-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Raanta is 10-2-3 with a 2.63 GAA and .894 save percentage in 16 games this season, including a 6-0-1 record in his most recent seven starts.
“He had a little problem today,” said Brind’Amour. So we kept him away from the rink. We had two goalkeepers who could train. »
Andersen: Comes as Carolina
Andersen’s early return comes as Carolina has lost its last four games (0-3-1) following an 11-game winning streak and 17 streaks with at least one point (15-0-2 ).
Kochetkov has allowed four goals in three straight games.
“I’m sure Kochetkov is disappointed,” Brind’Amour said after Tuesday’s loss. “He was playing well, and an injury kept him out for a while. Since his return, he has not obtained the same results. He’s young (23), and that’s human nature. I’m sure he would love the chance to get his act together. It’s the highest caliber of hockey, so it’s part of the sport. »
In 18 games (17 starts), Kochetkov is 10-4-4 with a 2.30 GAA, .914 save percentage and three shutouts. He acted as an auxiliary at Raanta for five consecutive meetings (December 22 to January 1) due to an injury, the nature of which has not been disclosed.
The Hurricanes will play three times over the next four days. After Columbus, Carolina will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday.
“The picture won’t be clear until Freddie plays a game,” Brind’Amour replied, when asked who would start the next few games. “Then we will have decisions to make. When he plays, we will have to make a decision. We will have to get him back in sync as soon as possible. The only way to do that is to get him to play. »
This article is originally published on nhl.com
