Hurricanes' Kochetkov likely done for season with lower-body injury

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov will undergo surgery on a lower-body injury and is "probably out for the year", head coach Rod Brind'Amour said Monday, according to team reporter Walt Ruff.

"It's what he's been dealing with all year," Brind'Amour said, according to The Hockey News' Ryan Henkel. "He's decided to have surgery. He didn't feel right all year. Was playing through it, but he doesn't want to continue that way. So, he'll get it fixed, and we'll go from there."

Kochetkov was slated to start Monday's contest against the New York Rangers. He's posted a .899 save percentage and a 2.33 goals against average in nine games this season. In his most recent outing, Kochetkov allowed five goals on 28 shots versus the Tampa Bay Lightning on Dec. 20.

The 26-year-old played a career-high 47 contests last season, recording a 897 SV% and a 2.60 GAA. In the playoffs, Kochetkov started two of Carolina's 15 games and made four total appearances, allowing 12 goals on 83 shots for an .855 SV%.

Veteran netminder Frederik Andersen has struggled this season with the Hurricanes. He's 1-7-2 in his previous 10 games, with his last win coming on Nov. 6 against the Minnesota Wild. The 36-year-old owns an .869 SV% and a 3.27 GAA - both career-worst marks.

Brandon Bussi is enjoying a breakout season between the pipes after Carolina claimed the 27-year-old off waivers from the Florida Panthers on Oct. 5. Since then, Bussi has gone 12-1-1 with a .912 SV% and an NHL-best 2.10 GAA in 14 starts. He's the first goalie in league history to win 10 of his first 11 games.

The Hurricanes lead the Metropolitan Division by three points with a 23-11-3 record.