3 Takeaways: Carolina Hurricanes Lose a Shootout In A Shootout to Columbus Blue Jackets

The Carolina Hurricanes lost twice in a row for the first time this season after falling 5-4 in a shootout to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Jack Roslovic, Jalen Chatfield, Sebastian Aho and Jackson Blake all scored for Carolina, but costly turnovers and an injury to Pyotr Kochetkov put a cloud on what looked set up for a generic win.

Here are my three takeaways from the game:

1. Goaltending Situation Getting Dire

Things are really starting to go off the rails for the Canes in net.

On Friday, Frederik Andersen had knee surgery sidelining him for the next two to three months.

Then last night, Pyotr Kochetkov was knocked out of the game after absorbing a forceful blow to the head from defenseman Sean Walker.

"Obviously we already have one goalie down," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "This is not ideal, that's for sure. I don't know where we're at with that, we'll see. It didn't look great, but we'll find out I guess at some point."

Kochetkov's status is still up in the air, but it's almost a bygone conclusion that he has a concussion and there's no telling how long that may sideline him for.

That leaves just Spencer Martin and one of Ruslan Khazheyev or Yaniv Perets or heck, maybe even Dustin Tokarski, and that's just not a winning formula.

The Hurricanes can't afford to go long term without one of Kochetkov or Andersen.

Something other than sticking with the status quo has to be done. Whether that's a trade for an established netminder or another lower totem pole gamble is to be seen.

Related: Pyotr Kochetkov Exits Game With Apparent Injury

2. Tough Game for Jesperi Kotkaniemi

After being responsible for at least two goals against, a missed hit setting up a 2-on-1 and then a blueline turnover leading to a breakaway, Jesperi Kotkaniemi was demoted to the Canes fourth line.

The Finn has been centering Carolina's second line with Martin Necas since the start of the season, but after a terrible game, the Finnish center was also last on the team in 5v5 Corsi For generating just four chances and conceding 12 against, a message needed to be sent.

"We just gave them two goals to start the game," Brind'Amour said. "We just turned the puck over. You go nose-to-nose on a defenseman? you just can't do that. Just giving breakaways out of the o-zone? That's what kills you."

However, Kotkaniemi has actually had a pretty good start to the year. He has two goals and 11 points in 20 games and his line has outscored opponents 15-9.

And did at least set up the Hurricanes' fourth goal though, knocking down a clear and setting up Jackson Blake in the slot, so perhaps that will help to soften the upcoming video sessions.

But the Canes do need their projected 2C to be more consistent.

For one, he's last on the team in Corsi For percentage at 56.3% (and to be fair his linemates aren't much better) which is funny that a generally strong number is the worst on the team.

He has also already taken eight minor penalties this season, has a sub 50% faceoff win percentage (49.7%) and has 19 giveaways with just four takeaways.

Like the Blake assist last night, he's had really strong moments this season and has had plenty of games in the green, but when he's off, it seems to compound more and more as games go on.

Consistency is the biggest thing the team is looking for and with a guy like Necas there to drive the bus, Kotkaniemi just needs to figure out ways to smooth out his valleys and not let mistakes spiral. He doesn't need to force too much.

3. Depth Scoring Continuing To Arrive

So far the Canes have had one star standout this season and that's been Martin Necas, who added two assists to his totals bringing him up to 33 points on the season.

Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho, who had a goal and two points tonight as well, have been solid with 17 and 19 points respectively, but the bulk of team scoring this year has been by committee.

Jack Roslovic has been the biggest standout so far adding his 12th goal of the season in his return to Nationwide Arena.

Related: Jack Roslovic Welcomed Back, Scores In Return To Columbus

Adding to those totals were also Jalen Chatfield who scored his second of the year and Blake with his sixth.

Even beyond tonight, the Canes have gotten a lot of support from lesser expected parties as Jordan Martinook has six goals, Eric Robinson has five, and Shayne Gostisbehere has four.

In fact, the only Canes skater without a goal this season is Brent Burns.

So safe to say, the Hurricanes are continuing to do what they need to do to be successful.