Kotkaniemi missed the last five games with a lower-body injury but will play Thursday vs. the Devils. Kotkaniemi will replace Jordan Staal, who is being rested. Kotkaniemi has picked up three assists in his last five games but has just four assists in his last 19 games.
Staal missed Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury that he suffered against the Avalanche over the weekend. Staal was back on the ice for Thursday's morning skate and is expected to play vs. the Jets. Staal has been red-hot as of late, scoring eight goals with two assists (10 points) in his last seven games.
Kotkaniemi is "nicked up" with an undisclosed injury, so he's not expected to play Monday in Arizona. With both Kotkaniemi and Jordan Staal out, look for Derek Stepan and Steven Lorentz to draw back in.
Staal left Saturday's game in Carolina after being crushed by Cale Makar and did not return. The Hurricanes called the update "positive," so it doesn't sound like they expect him to miss an extended period of time.
Andersen suffered an injury vs. the Avalanche on Saturday and will be re-evaluated in one week. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said they will "see where he's at" next week, in the meantime the Hurricanes will roll with Antti Raanta as their starter and Pyotr Kochetkov as his backup.
Kotkaniemi has been out since March 28th but will replace Steven Lorentz in the lineup on Thursday. Kotkaniemi has 26 points (11G / 15A) in 63 games this season while playing primarily in the bottom-6 and PP2.
Carrier has been sidelined since March 30th by a lower-body injury and was one of three players added to LTIR on Tuesday to make room for Mark Stone to be activated for their game in Vancouver. As a result, Carrier will likely be out until the playoffs or more cap gymnastics will be required.
Jake Allen suffered a lower-body injury in Saturday's loss to the Maple Leafs and Carey Price doesn't appear ready yet, so Primeau figures to serve as Sam Montembeault's backup on Monday. Primeau is 15-10-3 with a 2.87 GAA and .912 SV% in 30 AH games this season.
