Pesce (lower body) has yet to resume skating and is out indefinitely, Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer reports Thursday.
Pesce didn't make the trip with the team to New York and could now be in danger of missing the remainder of the best-of-seven series with the Rangers. Without Pesce in the lineup, Tony DeAngelo figures to see the biggest uptick in ice time, including minutes with the man advantage. Prior to getting hurt, Pesce was stuck in a 38-game goal drought during which he notched just seven helpers, so fantasy players shouldn't be expecting a ton of offensive output from the defenseman if and when he's cleared to play.
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Hurricanes' Pyotr Kochetkov: In goal for Game 3
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Kochetkov will get the starting nod at home versus the Rangers in Game 3 on Thursday, Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal reports.
Kochetkov will make his first appearance in goal for the Canes since April 14 against the Blackhawks, a stretch of eight games on the bench. While the team did split the workload between the 24-year-old backstop and Frederik Andersen down the stretch, if Kochetkov does secure a win in Game 3, he should probably be considered a lock to start Game 4 as well.
Skjei notched an even-strength assist in Tuesday's 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Rangers in Game 2.
Skjei assisted on Dmitry Orlov's late first-period tally to give Carolina a 2-1 lead heading into the second frame. As Orlov skated towards the front of the net from the corner, Skjei floated a shot from the point that was redirected past Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin. However, the 30-year-old Skjei ultimately took a penalty in overtime that New York took advantage of to win the game. Look for Skjei to rebound with a strong effort in Game 3 on Thursday.
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Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho: Gets three helpers in loss
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Aho registered three assists in Tuesday's 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Rangers in Game 2.
Aho had a hand in all three of his team's goals to go along with seven shots on net, a plus-2 rating, three hits and 30:18 of ice time. That gives Aho five assists in two contests this series, yet the Hurricanes head back to Carolina down 2-0 against New York. The Hurricanes will need Aho to be at his best once again come Game 3 on Thursday if they have any chance of avoiding a three-game deficit. Overall this postseason, the Finnish center has two goals and six assists in seven outings to go along with a plus-3 rating.
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Hurricanes' Jake Guentzel: Two goals in loss
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Guentzel potted two goals on five shots in Tuesday's 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Rangers in Game 2.
Guentzel was set up on both goals by Sebastian Aho, but it wasn't enough to lift Carolina over New York. Guentzel's two markers were complemented by a plus-2 rating and 26:39 of ice time. The 29-year-old has done his part since coming over in a trade from Pittsburgh -- in 17 regular-season outings, Guentzel racked up 25 points. In the postseason, he has seven points in as many games. The Hurricanes will need the star forward to make further contributions in order to get back into this series.
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Hurricanes' Frederik Andersen: Back-to-back losses
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Andersen made 35 saves on 39 shots in Tuesday's 4-3 double-overtime loss to the Rangers in Game 2.
Andersen has allowed four goals in consecutive contests for the first time all season. He was limited to just 16 regular-season appearances due to injury, so perhaps shifting from that to making six consecutive starts has fatigued the 34-year-old netminder. Overall this postseason, Andersen is 4-3 with a 2.58 GAA and an .899 save percentage through seven outings. Andersen's next chance to rebound would be in Game 3 on Thursday against New York.
Although an initial report suggested Kuznetsov was unavailable for Tuesday's Game 2 versus the Rangers because of an undisclosed injury, he is actually a healthy scratch for the contest, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com
Kuznetsov took a bad penalty in Game 1 on Sunday that led to a goal in what was ultimately a 4-3 loss to the Rangers, which is likely why he's out of the lineup Tuesday. The 31-year-old has two goals and four points in six playoff contests this year while averaging a modest 11:37 of ice time. Max Comtois drew into the lineup for Game 2 due to Kuznetsov being scratched.
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Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov: Not playing in Game 2
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Kuznetsov (undisclosed) won't play Tuesday in Game 2 versus the Rangers, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.
Kuznetsov has two goals and two assists in six games this postseason. He will be replaced in the lineup by Max Comtois.
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Hurricanes' Joel Nystrom: Inks entry-level deal
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Nystrom signed a two-year, entry-level contract with Carolina on Tuesday.
Nystrom produced eight goals and 26 points across 51 regular-season contests for Farjestad BK of the SHL in 2023-24. He has earned one assist in four playoff outings. The Hurricanes selected the 21-year-old blueliner with the No. 219 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
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Hurricanes' Frederik Andersen: Gets starting nod
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Andersen will defend the road goal during Game 2 versus the Rangers on Tuesday, Adam Gold of 99.9 The Fan reports.
Andersen struggled a bit against New York's potent offensive attack in Sunday's Game 1, surrendering four goals on just 23 shots en route to a 4-3 defeat. The Rangers will undoubtedly continue to be a challenging opponent for Andersen, but Sunday was just the second time the 34-year-old netminder has allowed four or more goals in a contest through 22 regular-season and playoff appearances combined in 2023-24, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him fare better in Game 2.
Legault signed a three-year, entry-level deal with Carolina on Monday.
Legault was a fifth-round selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the last two years with Quinnipiac University, totaling 11 goals and 33 points over 79 games. The 20-year-old blueliner will join the Hurricanes in training camp but will likely need some time to develop at the AHL level.
Orlov recorded an assist and two hits in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers in Game 1.
Orlov helped out on a Martin Necas tally in the third period. The helper was Orlov's second point in six playoff outings, and he's added 14 shots on net, 11 hits and six blocked shots from a third-pairing role. The 32-year-old is not in the mix for power-play time, so it's unlikely he puts up much offense during the postseason.
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Hurricanes' Jordan Martinook: Adds assist in Game 1 loss
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Martinook notched an assist and four hits in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers in Game 1.
The helper was Martinook's second point in six playoff outings. Martinook's filling a middle-six role as a checking winger, though that's an assignment that won't get him on the scoresheet regularly. He's added 12 shots on net and 10 hits during the postseason.
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Hurricanes' Brent Burns: Puts up helper in loss
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Burns logged an assist, two shots on goal, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers in Game 1.
Burns has a helper in consecutive contests, and he's up to three points through six playoff contests. The 39-year-old defenseman has added 12 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating this postseason. He's still taking on massive minutes in a top-four role, so Burns should be capable of adding respectable scoring numbers during the playoffs.
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Hurricanes' Jake Guentzel: Garners helper
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Guentzel recorded a helper, five shots on goal, four blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Rangers in Game 1.
Guentzel helped out on a Jaccob Slavin tally in the first period. Through six playoff contests, Guentzel has a goal, four assists, 12 shots on net, seven blocked shots and a plus-2 rating. He should continue to work in a top-line role, as Guentzel has displayed excellent chemistry with center Sebastian Aho since the winger was traded from the Penguins.
