PHILADELPHIA - Pyotr Kochetkov will be back between the pipes for the first time since Dec. 20, 2025, on Saturday, when the Carolina Hurricanes take on the Philadelphia Flyers.
Healthy and ready to roll, the backstop made two appearances during the preseason, including a win over the Nashville Predators in Greensboro.
In front of him, Rod Brind'Amour told reporters pregame that Mike Reilly might make his season debut on the blue line. He did not specify who would come out, or if the team would roll 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Reilly played 42 games last season, and dressed for two more during the team's run to the Stanley Cup.
"He knows how to play. That position is a tough one when you're in and out. You have to be able to handle that properly, and that's what being a pro is all about. He's definitely that," Brind'Amour said of the veteran blueliner.
You can catch all the action tonight at 7 p.m. on Hurricanes Hockey Network.
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Tonight's Projected Lineup...
Forwards
Robinson - Aho - Svechnikov
Hall - Stankoven - Blake
Ehlers - Staal - Martinook
Carrier - Jankowski - Deslauriers
Defense
Slavin - Chatfield
Miller - Walker
Gostisbehere - Legault
Reilly*
Starting Goaltender
Kochetkov
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Injuries
Seth Jarvis
Scratches
Jesperi Kotkaniemi
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PP1: Aho, Blake, Ehlers (Staal), and Svechnikov with Gostisbehere
PP2: Ehlers, Hall, Jankowski (Staal), and Stankoven with Miller
Jordan Staal has been taking the faceoffs to start most power plays. If he wins it, he'll stay on the ice. When the puck comes out of the zone, he jumps off, and Nikolaj Ehlers jumps on with the first unit. When with the second unit, Mark Jankowski jumps on when Staal goes off.
