FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A couple of minutes after Frederik Andersen completed understanding within the Carolina Hurricanes’ starter’s web and was the primary goalie off the ice — two indicators that he’d return for Sport 4, along with his crew down 3-0 to the Florida Panthers — coach Rod Brind’Amour tried to be coy.
Brind’Amour, requested Monday afternoon whether or not it’d be Andersen or Sport 3 starter Pyotr Kochetkov in web at Amerant Enviornment making an attempt to increase Carolina’s season, took a decent-length pause.
“Freddie’s beginning,” he mentioned ultimately.
“I at all times suppose it’d be good to simply maintain that information. However no, Freddie’s gonna begin. He’s been nice for us all yr, and he had a pleasant couple days off, so it is sensible to chuck him in there.”
After an impressive begin to the postseason, Andersen was a part of a protracted checklist of Hurricanes who struggled via Video games 1 and a pair of, permitting 9 objectives on 36 photographs (5 in Sport 1, 4 in Sport 2, for a .750 save proportion) and saved about 5.5 objectives beneath anticipated.
Kochetkov was good for 2 durations in Sport 3, stopping 14 of Florida’s 15 photographs, however allowed 5 objectives on 13 within the third interval. Brind’Amour complimented Kochetkov’s play on Sunday — the crew round him had unraveled, in spite of everything — however introduced Andersen shall be again within the web, all the identical.
Brind’Amour introduced up Andersen’s potential to successfully return from lengthy absences throughout his profession — most lately following knee surgical procedure this season and a blood clotting difficulty in 2023-24 — as causes to not fear about him getting a two-day, four-period break.
“One of many issues that’s nice about him is he’s had so many trials and tribulations via his profession,” Brind’Amour mentioned. “He’s taken months off after which plops into the web, and it looks like he hasn’t missed a beat. I don’t understand how that’s, however actually (it’s) a novel skillset. We’d like it tonight, clearly.”
Carolina will once more be with out defensemen Jalen Chatfield (lower-body harm) and Sean Walker (higher physique) for Sport 4. Chatfield hasn’t performed since Sport 4 of Carolina’s five-game win over Washington within the second spherical. Walker was injured in Sport 2 in opposition to the Panthers.
Brind’Amour, at varied factors, has lamented their absences, notably that of Chatfield, who usually performs on the second pair with Dmitry Orlov. Maybe not coincidentally, Orlov was brutal in Game 3.
“It’s one thing we’ve had through the years actually, actually locked down, and to lose a few guys which can be so vital to that, be throwing in guys that haven’t performed at this stage, you’re asking lots for certain,” he mentioned.
Chatfield and Walker shall be changed once more by rookies Alexander Nikishin, who’s performed twice within the postseason, and Scott Morrow, who’s performed 3 times. Each appeared considerably extra snug in Sport 3 than of their restricted earlier motion, a truth Brind’Amour famous, however the scenario, he mentioned, continues to be removed from excellent.
“Once you get within the playoffs, you’ve gotta ensure you most likely have a bit extra depth in that spot, simply because it’s not honest to place these guys in that scenario,” Brind’Amour mentioned. “Having mentioned that, they’ve carried out an important job. I imply, Nikishin the opposite night time, I used to be actually pleased with how from one recreation to the following, the change. Morrow hung in there, too. So it’s good on these guys.”
Hurricanes winger Seth Jarvis, like Brind’Amour, mentioned the crew will miss Chatfield and Walker however appreciated what the rookies dropped at the lineup.
“Walks has been unbelievable this playoffs,” Jarvis mentioned. “Chatty is at all times so regular and so underrated. So shedding these two guys sucked. however (Nikishin) and (Morrow) got here in and performed an enormous bodily position for us. Scottie’s been transferring the puck nicely. We have now all the boldness on the planet in these guys stepping up.”
(Prime photograph of Frederik Andersen: James Guillory / Imagn Pictures)
