Carolina Hurricanes receive critical update on G Antti Raanta

The Carolina Hurricanes are one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference this season, currently leading the Metropolitan Division with 112 points and 52 victories, matching their win and point total of their 2005-06 Stanley Cup winning year. 

However, the major question mark they feature right now is in goal, especially regarding the health of their two goaltenders in Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta, both of whom have proven to be injury prone over the course of their careers. 

Andersen is currently on the shelf with a lower body injury, something that head coach Rod Brind'Amour called referred to as a "big concern". And while Raanta has performed well in his absence, he left yesterday's game against the New York Islanders, leaving goaltending duties up to the young Pyotr Kochetkov. 

However, Hurricanes fans can breathe a bit easier now. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Raanta is expected to be available for Carolina's game tomorrow against the New York Rangers, who are currently ranked 2nd in the division. 

"Good day for Raanta, who is expected to be able to play/dress for the Hurricanes tomorrow night vs NYR," Friedman wrote on Twitter. "Yesterday's removal appears to be more of a cramping issue."

If the Hurricanes have any hope of advancing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they'll need their goaltending at peak performance.