Kochetkov expected to start as Hurricanes host Canucks
Carolina is expected to run back the lineup that won its last two games, with Sebastian Aho chasing a goal in a fourth straight.
Pyotr Kochetkov is expected to make his second start of the season Thursday when the Carolina Hurricanes host the Vancouver Canucks in Raleigh. Puck drop is 7 p.m. ET.
Kochetkov won his season debut Saturday in Philadelphia, stopping 16 of 18 shots. It was the 27-year-old's first regular-season game in more than nine months, after he returned from lower-body surgery last season.
Carolina expects to keep the skater lineup from its past two wins.
Sebastian Aho had three points in each of those wins. He has goals in three straight games, and his total of four is tied for fourth among all NHL skaters entering Thursday. Vancouver is making its only trip of the season to Raleigh.
The expected power-play units:
PP1: Aho, Blake, Ehlers (Staal), and Svechnikov with Gostisbehere
PP2: Ehlers, Hall, Jankowski (Staal), and Stankoven with Miller
Carolina has used Jordan Staal for the opening faceoff on most power plays. A successful draw keeps him on until the puck clears the offensive zone, when Nikolaj Ehlers replaces him on the first unit or Mark Jankowski joins the second group.
