Hurricanes choose starting goalie after change in Antti Raanta’s status

Pyotr Kochetkov became an overnight hero and sensation for the Carolina Hurricanes after taking over in the first period of Game 2 of the first round series against the Boston Bruins.

Raanta, fresh off his own first-ever NHL playoff win in Game 1, was injured when he collided with an oncoming David Pastrnak. He left the contest, bleeding from the face area and had to be helped from the ice.

Kochetkov, appearing in his first-ever NHL playoff game and just his fourth NHL game at all, was the hero, not only getting the 5-2 win to push the Canes’ series lead to 2-0, but also getting mixed with the Bruins’ player everyone loves to hate Brad Marchand.

On Friday, ahead of Game 3 in Boston, Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour offered an update on Raanta while confirming his starting goalie for tonight’s matchup.

Brind’Amour announced that Kochetkov will start Game Three in Boston for the Canes, but also mentioned how Raanta would have been ready to go as he’s healthy enough to back up. But being that he’s a little nicked up, they’ll give him another day.

Teammate Andrei Svechnikov, who appears to be the only person on the team who can actually communicate with Kochetkov since he speaks no English, might have to let him know he is getting the start tonight.

We cannot wait to see what Kochetkov has in store tonight for Marchand and the Bruins.