Carrier did not play the last game for the Golden Knights, has only played two of the last six, and has been placed on IR with an upper-body injury. Carrier has been held off the scoresheet in his last three games while registering three shots and four hits.
Fast has missed the last three games due to an upper-body injury but appears set to return on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. Fast has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 37 games this season while playing predominantly on a line with Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook.
Primeau will make his first start of 2024 on Wednesday when the Canadiens visit the Philadelphia Flyers. In his last outing, Primeau allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Flyers have struggled lately, losing five of their last six (1-3-2) and are coming off a one-side 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.
Kochetkov will make his ninth consecutive start as he goes for his fourth straight win Friday in Washington. The 24-year-old has done well since the Hurricanes' crease was handed to him in the middle of December, with his 10-7-3 record, 2.53 GAA, .904 SV% and one shutout on the season. He will take on the Capitals on the road, who have lost five of their last six games and are 30th in the NHL in goals per game (2.36).
Kochetkov has been solid for the Hurricanes over the last month and will return to the crease for the seventh time in the last eight games on Tuesday. Kochetkov has helped the Hurricanes collect at least a point in seven of his last eight games (5-1-2), posting a tremendous .930 SV%, giving the team high-caliber goaltending that they had been lacking all season. That said, the Hurricanes are +110 road underdogs against the New York Rangers, a team that is coming off a commanding 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning and has been atop the Eastern Conference for most of the season.
Kochetkov has been solid for the Hurricanes over the last month and will likely return to the crease for the seventh time in the last eight games on Tuesday. Kochetkov has helped the Hurricanes collect at least a point in seven of his last eight games (5-1-2), posting a tremendous .930 SV%, giving the team high-caliber goaltending that they had been lacking all season. That said, the Hurricanes are +110 road underdogs against the New York Rangers, a team that is coming off a commanding 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning and has been atop the Eastern Conference for most of the season.
Fast took a high hit from Noah Gregor on Friday and did not return to the game. Fast was not on the ice for Monday's practice and will miss some time. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour did not a timeline for Fast's return.
Carrier missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury but will draw back into the lineup on Monday. Carrier has scored five goals with two assists (seven points) in 31 games this season.
Kochetkov served as the backup for the first time in six contests on Thursday, a 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, but will return to the starter's crease on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kochetkov has been somewhat inconsistent this season but is coming off a very strong performance in his last outing, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators. The Hurricanes, winners of two straight, will have their first meeting of the season with the Maple Leafs, who have lost three of their last four (1-3-0).
Smith last played on December 21st and will be out of the lineup indefinitely as he has been placed on IR with a lower-body injury. He has one goal and two assists in 26 games this season.
Kochetkov allowed five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 5-4 loss in the Hurricanes' last game before the Christmas break but will return to the crease on Wednesday night. The 24-year-old netminder has started four straight and six of the last seven (3-1-2), steadying a Hurricanes' net that has been subpar all season, posting a .927 SV% while allowing fewer than two goals in four contests. The Hurricanes are -130 road favourites against a Nashville Predators team that has lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).
Primeau played well in the Canadiens' final game before the Christmas break, saving 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%) in a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, and will play in their first game back from the break on Thursday. Primeau has won three of his last four contests (3-1-0), allowing two goals or fewer in three, posting a .916 SV%, but will be hard-pressed to continue his strong play in an unfavourable matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes played last night, a commanding 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, but are still sizeable -253 home favourites against the Canadiens.
Kochetkov allowed five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 5-4 loss in the Hurricanes' last game before the Christmas break but will likely return to the crease on Wednesday night. The 24-year-old netminder has started four straight and six of the last seven (3-1-2), steadying a Hurricanes' net that has been subpar all season, posting a .927 SV% while allowing fewer than two goals in four contests. The Hurricanes are -130 road favourites against a Nashville Predators team that has lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).
Smith is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He has one goal and two assists in 26 games this season.
Carrier will be the odd-man out up front for Vegas as Keegan Kolesar is set to return from an undisclosed injury. Carrier has five goals and two assists in 31 games this season.
