Avs, Canes Both Short Staffed Between The Pipes

Both the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche are facing crises between the posts following injuries to netminders.

Already without Frederik Andersen, the Hurricanes have also lost Pytor Kochetkov to injury. Kochetkov is doubtful for Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators due to an unspecified ailment. However, Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour was telling reporters on Friday that Kochetkov’s injury was not considered serious and he shouldn’t be on the sideline very long.

There was also an update on the oft-injured Andersen and the news was not good. The Danish netminder’s lower-body injury was originally deemed as week to week. That’s no longer the case. It’s now anticipated that Andersen will be out for a much longer period of time.

Spencer Martin will get the start against Ottawa. At practice on Friday, Martin and equipment manager Jorge Alves manned the nets for the Hurricanes. Yaniv Perets was recalled from the AHL Chicago Wolves to serve as Martin’s backup on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Avalanche were revealing on Friday that goaltender Alexandar Georgiev would be out with an upper-body injury. Georgiev is 4-5 in 10 games this season with a goals-against average of 3.56 and a save percentage of .863. However, he’s playing better of late and has won his last three starts.

Georgiev is listed as day to day.

Justus Annunen is getting the start on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The Avalanche have summoned Trent Miner from the AHL Colorado Eagles to serve in the backup role.

Earlier this week, the Avs lost veteran NHL goalie Kaapo Kahkonen on waivers to the Winnipeg Jets.