The Rangers will see Pyotr Kochetkov in nets for Game 3.
After Frederik Andersen started the first seven games of the postseason for the Hurricanes, coach Rod Brind’Amour announced a change ahead of Thursday night’s Game 3.
Andersen stopped 35 shots in the double-overtime Game 2 loss, but looked shaky with his rebound control at times and was outplayed by Igor Shesterkin.
Pyotr Kochetkov (52) will take over as the Hurricanes’ goalie in Game 3 against the Rangers. Corey Sipkin for the NY PostHe also let in a soft goal to Artemi Panarin in Game 1 of the series, which eventually became the game-winner.
The Rangers lead the series 2-0 and can put Carolina’s season on the brink with a win Thursday.
Kochetkov, who started 40 games this season, finished with a .911 save percentage and 2.33 goals-against average.
Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen (31) tries to make a save against the Rangers’ Will Cuylle (50) during Game 2 on Tuesday. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post
It is unlikely that he will have the net for the rest of the series. However, Carolina needs to be on guard against Andersen — who was hurt for much of the season — wearing down.
There were some signs of that in the Hurricanes’ first-round victory over the Islanders, but Brind’Amour kept Andersen in goal for all four games.
Kochetkov has played in five career postseason games and has just one win, in the 2022 first round against the Bruins.
He appeared in Games 6 and 7 against the Rangers later that year, relieving Antti Raanta in both matches, which the Hurricanes lost.
