Kochetkov Earns NHL Third Star for October
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov went 9-0-0 in October and was named the league's Third Star.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Hockey
The NHL named Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov Third Star for October after he went 9-0-0 during the month. Kochetkov became the third goalie in NHL history to start a season 10-0 with a 7-0 shutout of the Winnipeg Jets.
Why it matters
Kochetkov's October run established the longest season-opening winning streak in Hurricanes franchise history and makes him the third goaltender in franchise history to record at least nine wins in a single calendar month. The honor comes after a season marked by injury and hip surgery.
Kochetkov owns a 1.49 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage through Sunday, with two shutouts this season. The extraction does not detail how those numbers compare to league averages.
The players
Pyotr Kochetkov
Kochetkov is a 27-year-old goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes who previously earned NHL Rookie of the Month honors twice.
Connor McDavid
McDavid is a forward for the Edmonton Oilers and a perennial NHL star who earned First Star honors for October.
Kirill Kaprizov
Kaprizov is a forward for the Minnesota Wild who was named Second Star for October.
The details
Kochetkov recorded a 7-0 shutout of the Winnipeg Jets to reach 10-0 on the season. Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid earned First Star honors for October, and Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov was named Second Star.
Timeline
December 2022: Kochetkov earned NHL Rookie of the Month.
February 2024: Kochetkov earned NHL Rookie of the Month again.
2025-26 season: Kochetkov's campaign was injury-plagued and included hip surgery.
October 2026: Kochetkov went 9-0-0 and earned Third Star honors.
Sunday, November 1, 2026: The NHL announced the Third Star selection.
Season Trajectory
Kochetkov's October run places him among the few goaltenders in Hurricanes history to post nine wins in a single month. His 10-0 start also matches a rare NHL benchmark reached by only three goalies.
Kochetkov's 10-0 start and statistical pace make him a notable addition for fantasy rosters. The extraction does not specify how his injury history will affect his workload going forward.
The takeaway
Kochetkov's early-season run shows how quickly a goaltender can shift a team's season narrative after an injury-plagued campaign. Fans tracking Carolina's goaltending should watch whether his save percentage holds through the coming weeks.
Further reading
For more on the league's season trajectory, see Hockey coverage.
