Carolina reserve goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov will miss the Hurricanes' season opener against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C., because of an undisclosed injury. Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said Kochetkov was "nicked up" and missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Rookie Brandon Bussi will back up starter Frederik Andersen. Bussi was claimed off waivers from the Florida Panthers on Sunday and joined the Hurricanes on Wednesday. There is no timetable for Kochetkov's return and he will be evaluated again on Friday, Brind'Amour said. The goalie played the entire game in Carolina's 3-2 overtime loss on Saturday at the Nashville Predators to conclude the preseason. He allowed three goals on 29 shots for a .897 save percentage. Kochetkov, 26, was 27-16-3 with a 2.60 goals-against average and .898 save percentage in 47 games (all starts) last season. He has started 112 of the 116 regular-season games he has played since his debut with Carolina in the 2021-22 season and is 65-36-12 with a 2.47 GAA and .905 save percentage. Kochetkov also is 2-5 in 10 postseason games (four starts) with a 3.83 GAA and .860 save percentage, including 1-1 with a 3.60 GAA and .855 save percentage last season. –Field Level Media
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