RALEIGH, NC — Frederik Andersen could return when the Carolina Hurricanes play at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday (7 pm ET; BSSO, BSOH, ESPN+, SN NOW).
The 33-year-old goalie, who has missed the past 29 games with a lower-body injury sustained in November, was removed from injured reserve and had a full practice Wednesday. He traveled with the Hurricanes to Columbus.
“He’s going to take the morning skate (on Thursday), I think, and get more involved with the group, which is great,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “He’s getting close. I guess anything is possible, but we’re definitely ramping him up.”
In eight games (all starts), Andersen is 5-3-0 with a 2.72 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage. He last played in a 3-1 loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 6, when he made 18 saves.
Antti Raanta He backed up after he was held out of practice Pyotr Kochetkov in a 5-3 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Raanta is 10-2-3 with a 2.63 GAA and an .894 save percentage in 16 games this season, including 6-0-1 in his past seven starts.
“He had a little issue today,” Brind’Amour said. “We kept him off [the ice]. We’ve got two guys that can practice.”
Andersen’s anticipated return comes with the Hurricanes having lost four straight games (0-3-1) following an 11-game winning streak and a 17-game point streak (15-0-2).
Kochetkov has allowed four goals in three straight games. In 18 games (17 starts), he is 10-4-4 with a 2.30 GAA, .914 save percentage and three shutouts. Kochetkov backed up Raanta for five straight games (Dec. 22-Jan. 1) with an undisclosed injury.
“I’m sure [Kochetkov is] down on himself,” Brind’Amour said after the loss Tuesday. “He was playing great, and his injury took him out of the lineup for a little bit. Since he’s been back, he hasn’t had the same results. He’s a young kid (23), and that’s human nature. I’m sure he wishes he could have one of those back. It’s big-boy hockey. That’s how it goes.”
Carolina plays three games in the next four days. After Columbus, it will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday and the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday.
“No real clear picture yet until ‘Freddie’ plays a game,” Brind’Amour said about who would start the upcoming games. “Then we will have some decisions to make. Once he does go in, you got to go. We’ve got to get it up to speed as quickly as possible. The only way to find out is to get in there.”
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