Hurricanes May Have Problems, But Pyotr Kochetkov Isn't One Of Them – Hockey Writers – Carolina Hurricanes

When a team is struggling, it's often easy to blame the goal scorer. However, if a goalkeeper concedes less than three goals per game while playing well, he will not be the only one to blame. While the Carolina Hurricanes have been an up-and-down team since their November 13 loss to Utah HC, one consistent part of their game has been the goaltending, especially Pyotr Kochetkov.

After defeating the New York Rangers on Sunday, December 22, at Madison Square Garden, Kochetkov earned his 14th win of the season and had two assists. If Carolina has 99 problems, and thankfully, there are none, Kochetkov is not one.

Pyotr the Great

The 25-year-old Russian has had success in Carolina since stepping on the ice in 2021-22. He had success in Raleigh from day one, earning 52 wins in 90 games. For the second season in a row, he went from long-time goalie to starter, after Frederik Andersen underwent knee surgery in October. Andersen is expected to return in late February or early March.

Related: Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov Shuts Out Islanders 4-0

In 21 games, Kochetkov has a 14-6-0 record with a 2.43 goals-against average (GAA), .903 save percentage (SV%), one shutout and three assists. This is almost the same stat line he had the past few seasons, with a 2.33 GAA (2023-24) and 2.44 (2022-23). In addition, his SV% over the past two seasons was .909 (2022-23) and .911 (2023-24). He also finished with four shutouts the past two seasons — he got his first of the season in Dec. 17 against the New York Islanders. Kochetkov has proven once again that given the number of starts, he is the guy for the Hurricanes. Although he can be overly aggressive at times, he is not afraid to go to the next level in stressful situations..

Kochetkov is in the second year of a four-year, $8 million contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent (UFA) after the 2026-27 season. Compared to other NHL netminders, he's proven that with less, the team can rely on him to take on more responsibility at the right amount.

In active goaltenders who have played 10 or more games, Kochetkov is tied for sixth in wins (14) with Adin Hill, Filip Gustavsson, and Kevin Lankinen, all goaltenders whose teams ranked first (Vegas Golden Knights), second (Minnesota Wild), and fourth (Vancouver Canucks) in their divisions. The Hurricanes are in third place in the Metropolitan Divison and are fifth points wise in the Eastern Conference and ninth in the NHL.

Kochetkov's GAA ranked 13th and he ranked 20th in time on ice (TOI) among hitters while missing four games this season due to concussion protocol. He is also tied for 27th in SV% with Ilya Sorokin of the Islanders.

Related: Hurricanes' Kochetkov Looks To Take Starting Role

In the last five games, Kochetkov has faced 23, 21, 32, 22, and 23 shots. His most goals in that span were three in a 3-1 loss against the Washington Capitals on December 20. In those five games, he has an SV% of .913, .905, 1.000, .864, and . 957.

Goal Exchange is Impossible

The Hurricanes are ranked 7th in the NHL with an average of 2.73 goals allowed per game, while the average goals against is 3.52, which is 5th. The biggest problem with the team since the Utah game in November has not been scoring but the scoring that has caused them to be shut out or score two goals or less in games they should have won. While it would be easy to blame the goalie, most of the time, especially with the Hurricanes, that's not the problem.

However, even if the team decided they needed an upgrade in net during Andersen's absence, trying to find a starter mid-season is a difficult task for any general manager. Neither team is willing to give up their starter, and even if they do, the Hurricanes only have $1.574 million in cap space as of December 23. Ultimately, trading a goaltender to a struggling team has its risks.

There is also speculation that Andersen will return this season. The Hurricanes are better off sticking with Kochetkov and Dustin Tokarski until Andersen returns, and even then Kochetkov will be the tandem's 1A.

Kochetkov has been solid this season. The issue that needs to be addressed is consistent play in front of the crease. Although Kochetkov has given up a few goals he would like to return, he is not the root of the Hurricanes' problems.

More Before Winter Break

The Hurricanes will face the Nashville Predators (10-17-7) on Monday in their final game before the winter break. Puck drop is set for 8 pm ET over on FanDuel Sports South and 99.9 The Fan in the radio segment. Carolina will be looking to win number 22 over the Predators. This is the last game before their winter break and they have a big test when they return with a back-to-back home against the New Jersey Devils on Dec. 27 and 28. According to Walt Ruff on X, expect Tokarski to start against the Predators since Kocherkov started the afternoon before against the Rangers.