Raanta started the first five games for Carolina against the New York Islanders in the first round, going 3-2 with a 2.59 goals-against average and .906 save percentage. Andersen, who missed those five games with an illness and undisclosed injury, got the start in Game 6 and made 33 saves in a 2-1 overtime win to advance.
"Definitely," coach Rod Brind'Amour said when asked if the Hurricanes would consider using both goalies. "When both guys are playing the way they're playing, it's easy to consider that. If not, you're a little less willing to do that. Clearly now, you've got two good options."
The Hurricanes will play either the New Jersey Devils or New York Rangers in the second round. The Devils host the Rangers in Game 7 of that first-round series Monday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN, TVAS, MSGSN, MSG).
Carolina, which was the No. 1 seed from the Metropolitan Division, will have home-ice advantage against either New York or New Jersey. Raanta has been especially effective at PNC Arena, going 8-1 with a 1.53 GAA and .943 save percentage in 11 games over the past two postseasons. He is 1-6 with a 3.66 GAA and .884 save percentage on the road in that span.
"It makes it easier to know, if you have a home game and you're considering it," Brind'Amour said. "With 'Rants,' we know he's played really well here. I don't think he's played poorly on the road. Maybe (that's) more of a reflection on our group in general."
With one game under his belt, Andersen said he feels ready if called upon in Game 1.
"I think you get better at it as you get more experience and just try to do the little things the right way," he said. "I think for me it's just that focus of not trying to do too much and trusting each guy to do their part. We have a team that, when everyone does that, it's enough."
Brind'Amour said he will rely on Carolina goaltending coach Paul Schonfelder for input on choosing Carolina's starter, as he did before Game 6 against the Islanders.
"He just kind of gives me what his thoughts are," Brind'Amour said. "It really came down to Freddie was ready. Rants could have went easily. We were happy with his performance, but we've never really played him in six straight games. It made sense. It was time to get Freddie in there. Again, that's what he was brought in to do. We had to give him that opportunity. He was definitely up for it."
Injuries have limited both Andersen and Raanta during their two seasons in Carolina.
Last season, Andersen missed the final six regular-season games and entire postseason with a torn MCL. This season, the 33-year-old missed 29 games from Nov. 9-Jan.14 with a lower-body injury. Raanta missed 12 games from March 9-April 1 with a lower-body injury.
In their absence, rookie Pyotr Kochetkov went 13-7-5 with a 2.44 GAA, .909 save percentage and four shutouts.
As the second round approaches, Brind'Amour said he doesn't plan to map out a strategy on the goaltending situation.
"In my experience, when you put a schedule together, it never works," he said. "You just kind of day by day it and reassess after every game. That's really the only way to do it.
"We've got two good options now, and two healthy options, which we never seem to be able to have in the playoffs."
