Hurricanes Senators Hockey

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (21) is helped off the ice by teammates Seth Jarvis (24) and Shayne Gostisbehere (4) after being checked by Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven during the second period of Game 4 in a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Ottawa, Ontario, Saturday, April 25, 2026.

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Hurricanes' Rod Brind’Amour is hopeful Ehlers and Nikishin will be ready for Round 2 of NHL playoffs

Hurricanes' Rod Brind’Amour is hopeful Ehlers and Nikishin will be ready for Round 2 of NHL playoffs

Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour is hopeful that winger Nikolaj Ehlers and defenseman Alexander Nikishin will be ready for Round 2 of the NHL playoffs with extra time off to recover from injuries. The Eastern Conference’s top seed closed out a first-round sweep of Ottawa on Saturday. Ehlers was a late scratch with a lower-body injury. Nikishin was knocked from the second period with a concussion on a jarring hit from Tyler Kleven. The Hurricanes returned to practice Tuesday but neither skated. Carolina was the first team to advance to Round 2 and will play the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh winner.