### Hurricanes' Goalie Pyotr Kochetkov to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery The Carolina Hurricanes are facing a significant setback as their goaltender, Pyotr Kochetkov, is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a lower-body injury that requires surgery. This decision comes after Kochetkov has struggled with the injury throughout the season, impacting his performance and availability. The Hurricanes, who currently hold the best record in the Eastern Conference, will need to adjust their strategy as they move forward without one of their key players. Kochetkov has played only nine games this season, achieving a record of 6-2-0 with a 2.33 goals against average before opting for surgery [https://apnews.com/article/pyotr-kochetkov-hurricanes-injuries-123319117caba777a9eb65b4a14016cf][https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/nhl_injuries_hurricanes_pyotr_kochetkov_to_have_surgery_likely_done_for_season/s1_17076_43264665]. ### Breakdown of Kochetkov's Injury Situation 1. **Injury Details**: - Kochetkov has been dealing with a lingering lower-body injury since the start of the season, which has caused him to miss significant playing time, including all of October and part of November [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/hurricanes_pyotr_kochetkov_placed_on_ir_could_miss_second_half/s1_14825_43262347]. 2. **Surgery Decision**: - Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour confirmed that Kochetkov has opted for surgery to address the injury, which is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season [https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/47448972/hurricanes-goalie-pyotr-kochetkov-expected-miss-rest-season-surgery]. 3. **Impact on Team**: - The Hurricanes will rely on emerging goaltender Brandon Bussi, who has performed well in Kochetkov's absence, posting a 12-2-0 record with a .910 save percentage [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/hurricanes_goaltender_pyotr_kochetkov_shockingly_214242835.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Kochetkov's Performance**: - **Games Played**: 9 - **Wins**: 6 - **Losses**: 2 - **Goals Against Average**: 2.33 - **Save Percentage**: .899 - **Shutouts**: 1 [https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/hurricanes_pyotr_kochetkov_placed_on_ir_could_miss_second_half/s1_14825_43262347]. - **Team Standing**: - The Hurricanes currently hold a record of 23-11-3, leading the Eastern Conference before Kochetkov's surgery announcement [https://apnews.com/article/pyotr-kochetkov-hurricanes-injuries-123319117caba777a9eb65b4a14016cf]. ### Conclusion: The Road Ahead for the Hurricanes In summary, **the Carolina Hurricanes will be without goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov for the remainder of the season due to a necessary surgery for a lower-body injury**. This situation presents a challenge for the team as they aim to maintain their strong performance in the Eastern Conference. 1. Kochetkov's injury has been a persistent issue, affecting his availability and performance throughout the season. 2. The decision for surgery was made to ensure long-term health, despite his successful record in limited appearances. 3. The team will now depend on Brandon Bussi to step up as the primary goaltender moving forward. The Hurricanes will need to adapt quickly to this change as they continue their pursuit of success in the NHL [https://www.nhl.com/news/pyotr-kochetkov-carolina-hurricanes-injury-status-update-december-29-2025][https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/hurricanes-goalie-pyotr-kochetkov-to-have-surgery-probably-out-for-the-year].