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Carolina Hurricanes News

Andersen will start vs. Toronto on Thursday.

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.

Frederik Andersen
Kochetkov (lower-body) returned to Carolina's practice on Tuesday.

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.

Pyotr Kochetkov
Bussi will start vs. Calgary on Sunday.

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.

Brandon Bussi
Bussi will start vs. Winnipeg on Friday.

With Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body) sidelined, the Hurricanes are relying on the services of Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi, who will tend the twine on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 27-year-old Bussi has been serviceable since making his NHL debut earlier this season, posting a 2.67 GAA and .897 SV% in six games (5-1-0). If Kochetkov's injury lingers, Bussi has an opportunity to see an increased workload if he can outduel his counterpart, Frederik Andersen.

Brandon Bussi