NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 27: Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) is helped off the ice after a colliding with New Jersey Devils right wing Timo Meier (28) (not pictured) during Game Four of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on April 27, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey.
(Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Frederik Andersen leaves game after Timo Meier collision
  • Pyotr Kochetkov allows goal on second shot faced
  • Read below for more on Carolina’s goalie situation

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen left Sunday afternoon’s Game 4 against the New Jersey Devils after a collision with winger Timo Meier.

Meier crashed the crease and appeared to give Andersen a bump, causing the goalie to fall back into his net.

The play was reviewed for goalie interference, but there was no penalty on the play; much to the dismay of Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour.

The Hurricanes were leading 3-1 when Andersen exited due to injury. Pyotr Kochetkov took over between the pipes and allowed a leaky goal on just the second shot he faced.

Of course, Meier was the one to score a soft goal on the backup goalie after crashing the net on Andersen.

The Hurricanes had been trying to manage Andersen’s workload to keep him fresh for the playoffs, but you can’t prepare for the chaos that comes with being a goalie.

Andersen started just 22 games in the regular season, going 13-8-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .899 SV%. Kochetkov was Carolina’s starter for most of the season with a 27-16-3 record, 2.60 GAA, and .897 SV% in 47 starts.

Kochetov entered this series with six career playoff appearances (two starts). He allowed 18 goals on 131 shots for a 4.01 GAA and .863 SV% in those games.

Andersen stopped 82 of 87 shots he faced in the first three games of this series for a 1.48 GAA and .943 SV%. His status remains up in the air for the remainder of this first-round series.

Game 5 is set for Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. EDT back in Carolina.