Pyotr Kochetkov Shuts Out Islanders, Hurricanes Look To Be Finding Stride

The Carolina Hurricanes have been needing a standout performance from Pyotr Kochetkov.

The 25-year-old goaltender had a strong start to the year, but after getting knocked out of the game in Columbus, he just hadn't quite looked the same.

However, the young Russian delivered that standout performance in a 32-save shutout performance Tuesday night in Carolina's 4-0 win over the New York Islanders at Lenovo Center.

"He was honestly the best player tonight,' said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "We gave up probably more than I'd like to see and we were a little loosey, but that sometimes what happens when you get an early lead. Sometimes it's hard to stay with it. But he was great all night. Looked like he was dialed right in."

It wasn't a typical Carolina game, where they limit their opponents to virtually nothing, either. Kochetkov earned every part of that shutout.

The young goalie turned aside all 16 high-danger chances that he faced and in total, saved 3.76 goals above expected according to Natural Stat Trick.

He was just tracking plays so well and made multiple stops in tight, in motion, you name it, he was stopping it.

"Sometimes you have save, sometimes you have goal," Kochetkov said. "You always tracking pucks and seeing where it goes with different guys. Today, I have save. It good for me. Sometimes I have games where I do same and have goal.

"For me, I just play a little bit better. I happier today. Have shutout and guys play well. Defense play well. Power play, penalty kill. All well."

Related: 'I Happier Today. Have Shutout And Guys Play Well': Pyotr Kochetkov, Sebastian Aho, Tyson Jost, Rod Brind'Amour On Shutout Win Over Isles

Kochetkov looked in control all night and although he did have one or two of his typical unorthodox maneuvers, every time, it ended up working out for him.

"You come to expect a little bit of surprise with him," Brind'Amour said on Kochetkov's unusual style of play. "I thought tonight he was actually really good in there. He had the one of course, maybe he just can't help himself. But it ended up being the right play, right? Stopped a breakaway from even happening. Listen, he has a way he has to play and you can't take that out of him, but maybe you can... I don't know the right wording, but curtail to a certain degree, but you certainly aren't going to change what got him here and what makes him a good player."

Related: Pyotr Kochetkov Sends Stick Flying In Hilarious Clip

Kochetkov also admitted that the day off on Sunday — when Dustin Tokarski made his first start in nearly two years and led Carolina to a 4-1 win over Columbus— helped set him up for success against the Isles.

"After Senators game, it was a tough lose for me," Kochetkov said. "I think so it was a good idea. [Dustin Tokarsk] played well against Columbus, and I have a little bit of rest. Couple of days and ready for tonight. This helped me 100%."

With Frederik Andersen sidelined long-term following knee surgery, the full mantle of the team's goaltending burden has rested entirely on the young man's shoulders.

So perhaps not only was having a day to rest and recollect helpful, but so too was seeing that someone else can help lighten the load.

Outside of goaltending, the Canes overall had a pretty strong showing last night in most every aspect of the game too.

The power play went 1-for-2, with Andrei Svechnikov scoring on the team's first man-advantage chance just over five minutes into the game, and the penalty kill was a perfect 1-for-1.

Not only that, but the Hurricanes also continued to see a bit more consistent 5v5 scoring.

The line of Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook and William Carrier followed up their monster game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday with yet another vintage performance.

The trio outchanced the Islanders 24-8 and once again got rewarded with a goal as Martinook won a race to the net front and popped home a rebound.

"Really, all year, those've been our go-to guys," Brind'Amour said. "Nice to see them get rewarded. They've always played really well, but a lot of time they're not on the scoresheet so you kind of graze over them to the guys that score and yet their impact on the game is always there."

Tyson Jost, who's back up with the main club due to Jack Drury being sidelined following hand surgery, also scored his second goal of the season, forcing a turnover behind the New York net and then eventually batting in an airborne rebound.

"Honestly, I've loved how I've played up here," Jost said. "I feel like I belong in the NHL and I know I can play here. So it's nice to come up and play well and prove that I belong. I know I have that in me. It's been a little difficult going up and down and living in a hotel, but I'm not complaining. I'm just grateful to be here and I want to make the most of every opportunity and stay up here. That's the goal."

Finally, Sebastian Aho scored just his third 5v5 goal of the year as he and Eric Robinson teamed up on a give-and-go, 2-on-1 break to close out the second period.

Just nice, not sneaky," Aho said on Robinson's pass. "Just nice. It was a nice play absolutely. Just a 2-on-1 and two great passes and I kind of got a one-time shot there that went in."

The Canes have been steadily building back up to their standard of play following a tough few weeks and last night seemed like yet another step in the right direction.

It hasn't been perfect, but the last four games especially have looked much more like the way Carolina is supposed to.

"Honestly, the mindset has been just not giving them anything," Aho said. "Both goalies played great games, but I think we've done a much better job too at shutting them down as well. Kind of waiting for our own opportunities. We won 5v5 today. It doesn't matter how you win the game, but obviously you want to build your game and 5v5 is a big part of it."

Related: Rod Brind'Amour Awarded North Carolina's Highest Civilian Honor