Kochetkov will guard the road goal versus the Panthers on Thursday, Doug Plagens of the Panthers Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kochetkov is set to start for the third time in four games. He's been in a bit of a rut lately, going 4-5-1 with a 2.65 GAA and an .893 save percentage over his last 10 outings. He did not play in either of the Hurricanes' losses in a home-and-home set late in November -- his last matchup against the Panthers was a 45-save shutout performance Feb. 22, 2024.

Kochetkov turned aside 25 shots in regulation and overtime and two of four shootout attempts in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old netminder has hit a rough patch to close out 2024. Kochetkov has just one win in his last four starts, going 1-2-1 with a 2.76 GAA and .885 save percentage, although Tuesday's result was mostly just bad luck -- one Columbus goal deflected in off Seth Jarvis, and another came after Brent Burns inadvertently bumped into Kochetkov and put him on his keester inside his own net, leaving him woefully out of position for Kirill Marchenko's shot. With Frederik Andersen (knee) still at least a couple months away from returning however, and the Hurricanes seemingly reluctant to use Dustin Tokarski outside of back-to-back scenarios, Kochetkov will continue to be leaned on heavily in the new year.

Kochetkov will defend the road crease versus the Blue Jackets on Tuesday, per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Kochetkov conceded four goals on 23 shots in a 4-2 loss to New Jersey on Friday. The 25-year-old will face a Columbus team that ranks ninth in the NHL with 3.30 goals per game. Kochetkov is 1-0-0 with a 2.95 GAA and an .889 save percentage in two career starts versus Columbus.

Kochetkov conceded four goals on 23 shots in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Devils.

EDGE Analysis

The trend of Kochetkov alternating wins and losses continued Friday. The Russian netminder hasn't won or lost back-to-back games since November. Carolina emphasizes puck possession and shot quantity, meaning Kochetkov rarely has to handle a heavy workload. That could potentially be preventing him from getting into a groove, as goaltenders typically prefer facing more rubber than less. On the bright side, Kochetkov has yet to have a disastrous performance in 2024-25 -- he hasn't allowed more than four goals in a game through 22 appearances.

Kochetkov will protect the road goal versus the Devils on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Kochetkov has alternated wins and losses over his last eight starts, with a mediocre .902 save percentage but a strong 2.45 GAA in that span. The 25-year-old netminder is entrenched as the Hurricanes' No. 1 goalie and should continue to see a fairly heavy workload. However, it'll probably be Dustin Tokarski in the second half of the home-and-home set when the Hurricanes host the Devils on Saturday.

Kochetkov turned aside 22 of 23 shots in Sunday's win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Kochetkov has alternated wins and losses over his eight starts since returning from a four-game absence due to a concussion. After earning his first shutout win of the season Tuesday against the Islanders, he turned aside 19 of 22 shots (.864 save percentage) in a loss to the Capitals on Friday, but he bounced back in the first half of a back-to-back set Sunday. It seems likely that Dustin Tokarski will tend the twine in the second half of the back-to-back set Monday against the Predators, so Kochetkov will likely have several days off before returning to action following the league's Christmas break.

Kochetkov will guard the road cage Sunday against the Rangers, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kochetkov has dropped two of his last three starts despite posting a strong .933 save percentage in that span. Overall, the 25-year-old netminder is 13-6-0 with a .900 save percentage and 2.50 GAA this year.

Kochetkov conceded three goals on 22 shots in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

Kochetkov turned in a solid performance Friday in a goaltender duel against Charlie Lindgren, but the Hurricanes weren't able to muster up enough offensive support for their netminder. Kochetkov hasn't been able to get into a groove lately, as he's alternated wins and losses over seven appearances in December. The 25-year-old is sporting a 13-6-0 record, .900 save percentage and 2.51 GAA through 20 appearances. Carolina has had five different goaltenders make an appearance in 2024-25, but Kochetkov has been the only one to start in at least eight games.

Kochetkov is expected to start in goal on the road against Washington on Friday, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.

EDGE Analysis

Kochetkov has a 13-5-0 record, 2.47 GAA and .902 save percentage in 19 outings in 2024-25. He's coming off a 32-save shutout victory over the Islanders on Tuesday. The Capitals are a difficult adversary, as they rank second in the NHL with 3.81 goals per game.

Kochetkov turned aside all 32 shots he faced in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

It was the first shutout of the season for the 25-year-old netminder and the ninth of his NHL career. Kochetkov has started six of Carolina's seven games to begin December, going 3-3-0 with a 2.58 GAA and .899 save percentage, and he'll be firmly entrenched at the top of the depth chart until Frederik Andersen is ready to return from knee surgery.