Even after Frederik Andersen left the ice first during Carolina’s morning skate at Madison Square Garden, Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour said he wasn’t ready to announce a starting goalie for Monday’s Game 5 against the Rangers — a game his team has to win to keep its season alive.
Asked if Andersen would be back in goal, which is typically indicated by which goaltender skates off first at the skate, Brind’Amour would only say, “Maybe.”
Andersen started every game in the postseason for the Hurricanes prior to Game 3 against the Rangers, when Pyotr Kochetkov got the nod in a Rangers win that put Carolina in a 3-0 series hole.
Alexis Lafrenière (13) of the New York Rangers celebrates with his teammates after he scores a goal pass Frederik Andersen (31) of the Carolina Hurricanes to tie the game during the third period of Game 4 on May 11, 2024. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov saves a shot by the Rangers’ Filip Chytil in Game 3 on May 9, 2024. AP
Andersen started again in Game 4 but had some shaky moments in Carolina’s first victory of the second-round playoff series.
Andersen was the primary starter when healthy during the regular season, but was sidelined for a stretch between November and March with a blood clotting issue.
That’s when Kochetkov emerged as another solid option.
Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour addresses the media after practice on May 10, 2024. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Frederik Andersen (31) of the Carolina Hurricanes makes a save against the New York Rangers during the second period of Game 4 on May 11, 2024. NHLI via Getty ImagesBrind’Amour said he was considering the fact that both have played well when given the opportunity.
“A lot goes into it now,’’ Brind’Amour said. “Obviously, that’s the number one concern: ‘How are you feeling?’ We had a good rotation going. Do we go back to that? There are a lot of discussions.”
Game 5 gets underway at 7 p.m.
