Carl Grundstrom will draw into the lineup for his second game of the season, resulting in Deslauriers being a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. The 34-year-old Deslauriers is averaging 8:20 time-on-ice, recording zero points, 17 penalty minutes, and 48 hits in 13 games this season.
The Hurricanes have not been in top form lately, 3-4-0 in their last seven, something that can't be said when Bussi has been between the pipes. The 27-year-old first-year NHLer has been excellent when called upon for the Hurricanes, winning six straight, and posting a 2.21 GAA and .903 SV% through nine games this season (8-1-0). The Hurricanes enter Tuesday's contest as -195 home favorites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that has fumbled its way to a 2-1-4 record in its last seven games.
Fensore made his season debut on October 28th, but was limited to only one NHL contest. The 24-year-old blueliner has picked up 15 points (3G / 12A) in 17 AHL games this season with the Chicago Wolves.
Reilly will slot in for K'Andre Miller, who is out with an illness. Reilly has appeared in 19 games this season, logging one goal and four assists.
Miller has already missed six games this season due to injuries and is unavailable again onThursday due to illness. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging a career-high 23:02 time-on-ice and has 11 points (2G / 9A) in 19 games this season.
Miller has already missed six games this season due to injuries and his status on Thursday is uncertain due to illness. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging a career-high 23:02 time-on-ice and has 11 points (2G / 9A) in 19 games this season.
The Hurricanes saw success in their last two games (2-0-0), outscoring their opposition 6-1 with Brandon Bussi tending the twine, but they will turn to Andersen on Thursday against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 36-year-old Andersen has struggled this season, allowing three or more goals in all but two of his 13 outings (5-6-2). That said, his best performance of the season was a 23-save outing (.958 SV%) in a 4-1 win against another one of his former teams, the Anaheim Ducks. The Hurricanes enter the action on Thursday as -209 home favorites.
Fensore made his season debut on October 28th, but was limited to only one NHL contest. The 24-year-old blueliner has picked up 15 points (3G / 12A) in 17 AHL games this season with the Chicago Wolves.
Kochetkov has not played since November 17th, when he reaggravated an injury that kept him sidelined for the first month of the season. The 26-year-old Kochetkov had been outstanding between the pipes since making his season debut at the beginning of November, posting a 1.70 GAA and .926 SV% in five appearances (4-0-0). That said, injury concerns mixed with a potential three-goalie carousel in Carolina limit Kochetkov's fantasy value this season.
Kotkaniemi has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on November 14th, but was a full participant at practice on Tuesday as he nears his return. The 25-year-old Kotkaniemi scored five points (2G / 3A) in 15 games before his injury.
With Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body) still sidelined, Rod Brind’Amour and the Hurricanes coaching staff are rewarding Brandon Bussi with consecutive starts. The 27-year-old Bussi had a light night in Friday’s 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets, but was near perfect, saving 12 of 13 shots (.923 SV%). The 27-year-old first-year NHLer looks to improve his 2.43 GAA and .899 SV% through seven games (6-1-0) when he tends the twine on Sunday against the Calgary Flames.
