[capitals vs hurricanes]: Capitals vs Hurricanes Preview: Starting Goalie, Staal Injury, and Line Changes

Ice hockey goalie in red jersey celebrating with raised arms in the rink's goal area.

Who was expected to start in goal for the Hurricanes against the Capitals on October 13, 2026?

Ice hockey goalie in red jersey celebrating with raised arms in the rink's goal area.

Carolina’s preview pointed to Pyotr Kochetkov as the expected starter against Washington on October 13, 2026.

The expected Hurricanes starter

Pyotr Kochetkov was expected to start in goal for the Hurricanes against the Capitals.

The preview noted that he had improved to 3-0-0 after an 18-save outing on Sunday.

Game context

Carolina was hosting Washington at Lenovo Center. The Hurricanes were also trying to extend their winning streak to six games.

Projected starters can change before puck drop, so the official team preview is the place to recheck if you need the latest lineup confirmation.

How did Jordan Staal’s calf tear change the Hurricanes lines against Washington?

Two hockey players in red gear sit in a locker room resting before or after a game.

Jordan Staal was unavailable for the Hurricanes because of a calf tear, and Carolina’s preview showed the lineup adjusting around that absence.

The main line change

Mark Jankowski had moved into a line with Jordan Martinook and Nikolaj Ehlers after Staal missed the Philadelphia game.

That is the clearest confirmed change tied to Staal’s absence in the preview.

Other listed forward placement

The preview also listed Jesperi Kotkaniemi between Nicolas Deslauriers and Eric Robinson.

That gives a practical snapshot of how Carolina was arranging its forwards for the Washington matchup, based on the preview information available at the time.

What to check next

Line combinations can shift close to game time, especially when an injury is involved. For the final version, check Carolina’s official updates before the game.

How long could Jordan Staal be out for the Hurricanes?

Dynamic ice hockey action scene with athletes on an indoor rink during a game.

Jordan Staal’s absence was not described as a short day-to-day situation in Carolina’s preview.

The reported timeline

Rod Brind’Amour said Staal’s absence because of a calf tear could last one to two months.

That is the confirmed timeline from the preview. The context does not provide a specific return date.

What changed while he was out

With Staal unavailable, Mark Jankowski had moved into a line with Jordan Martinook and Nikolaj Ehlers. Jesperi Kotkaniemi was listed between Nicolas Deslauriers and Eric Robinson.

What remains uncertain

A one-to-two-month range is still a range, not a fixed return plan. For the most current status, check the Hurricanes’ official updates as the injury timeline develops.

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