Kochetkov makes 19 saves, Hurricanes shut out Flyers for 4th win in row

RALEIGH, N.C. --Pyotr Kochetkov made 19 saves for his fourth shutout of the season, and the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 1-0 at PNC Arena on Thursday.

Kochetkov, who was making his first start since Jan. 15, was recalled from Chicago of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis Wednesday after Antti Raanta sustained a groin injury in a 4-3 shootout win against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.
"He made a couple real great saves. That was the difference in the game," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "He was solid when he needed to be. Very, very good game for him."

Andrei Svechnikov scored, and Brent Burns had an assist on his 38th birthday for the Hurricanes (43-12-8), who have outscored opponents 16-4 during a four-game winning streak, including a 6-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 5.
Carolina remained four points ahead of the New Jersey Devils for first in the Metropolitan Division. New Jersey won 3-2 in a shootout against the Washington Capitals on Thursday.
"I thought we had a solid effort tonight," Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce said. "They blocked a lot of shots, credit to them. We had a lot of chances, we just didn't find the back of the net. But we did find a way to win, and that's what matters."
Felix Sandstrom made 28 saves for the Flyers (24-30-11), who are 1-5-1 in their past seven, including a 7-0 loss to the Devils on Feb. 25.
"We're learning how to be patient in the game," Philadelphia coach John Tortorella said. "When you don't score, you've got to play with some patience and hope you get good goaltending. And those two things, I think we got."
Svechnikov made it 1-0 at 2:09 of the first period on a power play. After Burns passed the puck to Martin Necas in the left face-off circle, Necas made a one-touch pass to Svechnikov in the high slot for a one-timer glove side.

Sandstrom then kept it a one-goal game at 11:25 when he made a save on a one-timer by Necas from the left circle on a power play.
It was Sandstrom's first start since Feb. 12.
"I missed the release on [the goal] but after that, I just tried to see the puck as well as possible," Sandstrom said. "I've been waiting for my opportunity again to play, so I'm very happy to be out there."
Kochetkov preserved Carolina's lead with a stick save on Joel Farabee at 8:01 of the second period. After Owen Tippett intercepted a back pass by Necas intended for Jordan Martinook in the slot, he passed up to Farabee, who tried to go five-hole on the breakaway.
"You can see [Kochetkov's] just so calm and confident in himself," Svechnikov said. "I guess he just knew what he was going to do. That's awesome."
It was Kochetkov's first win since Dec. 20. He was 0-3-1 in his past four starts.
"We love him around here. He's a great kid," Pesce said. "He competes his tail off, which we love. I'm just glad he came up and found his rhythm."
Forward Tyson Foerster, who was selected by Philadelphia in the first round (No. 23) of the 2020 NHL Draft, made his NHL debut after he was promoted from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis earlier Thursday. He had two shots on goal and three blocked shots, including blocking a Svechnikov shot attempt at an open net from the right circle at 15:28.
"I was just trying to do whatever I can to help the team win," Foerster said. "They move the puck around really well, so every time they try to throw it to the net, you've got to help the goalie out. He played great tonight."
NOTES:The Flyers have scored two goals or fewer in 11 of their past 14 games. ... The Hurricanes are 24-for-24 on the penalty kill in their past nine games. ... Philadelphia defenseman Tony DeAngelo served the first of his two-game suspension for spearing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Corey Perry on Tuesday. … Burns has 51 points (12 goals, 39 assists) in 62 games this season, tying DeAngelo (2021-22) for the most points in a single season since the franchise moved to Carolina from Hartford in 1997. … Sandstrom is 0-6-1 in his past seven starts. He has not won since Nov. 18.