With the Carolina Hurricanes facing a 3-0 deficit in the Eastern Conference finals, the team is returning to Frederik Andersen to start in goal for Monday’s Game 4 against the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, Fla.
After a long pause following a reporter’s question regarding the team’s starting goalie, Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour confirmed speculation on Monday with two words: “Freddie’s starting.”
“He’s been great for us all year,” Brind’Amour added, “and he had a nice couple days off, so it makes sense to chuck him in there.”
Andersen was pulled as the starter after allowing nine goals on 36 shots over the first two games against the Panthers, including five in the series opener and four in Game 2. Pyotr Kochetkov filled in for Game 3, during which Florida torched the netminder for six goals on 28 shots, including five scores on 13 attempts in the third period.
Andersen shined between the posts during the first two series of the Stanley Cup playoffs, going 7-2 with a .937 save percentage while holding opponents to 1.3 goals per game. His success faded against the Panthers with his save percentage dropping to .750.
Brind’Amour, however, remains confident in Andersen’s ability to bounce back.
“One of the things that’s great about him is he’s had so many trials and tribulations through his career,” Brind’Amour said. “He’s taken months off and then plops into the net, and it feels like he hasn’t missed a beat. I don’t know how that is, but certainly (it’s) a unique skillset. We need it tonight, obviously.”
–Field Level Media
