Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour has opted for veteran netminder Frederik Andersen over regular-season starter Pyotr Kochetkov to begin the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Brind'Amour told reporters Andersen will start Saturday when the Hurricanes host the New Jersey Devils for Game 1.
Andersen posted a 13-8-1 record, 2.50 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 22 games during the regular season.
The 35-year-old has played in 72 career playoff games over nine seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Hurricanes.
He holds a 38-30 record with a 2.46 GAA and .914 save percentage plus three shutouts.
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Kochetkov, 25, made 47 appearances in the regular season and registered a 27-16-3 record, 2.60 GAA and .897 save percentage.
He has appeared in only six playoff games over the previous three seasons in Carolina, with a 1-4 record, 4.01 GAA and .863 save percentage.
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