Ehlers returns for Hurricanes in Game 1 of Round 2; Nikishin still in concussion protocol

Key facts

• Nikolaj Ehlers returns to the Carolina Hurricanes lineup for Game 1 of Round 2 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
• Ehlers missed the series-deciding victory in Ottawa due to a lower-body injury.
• Alexander Nikishin remains a question mark after being diagnosed with a concussion last Sunday.
• Nikishin must clear the NHL's concussion protocol before returning; he has been practicing in a full-contact sweater.
• Frederik Andersen is expected to start in goal; he led all playoff goaltenders in GAA (1.10) and save percentage (.955) in Round 1.
• The Hurricanes swept the Ottawa Senators in the first round and are the first team to advance to Round 2.
• Carolina called up defenseman prospect Charles Alexis Legault from the AHL.
• Jordan Staal takes faceoffs on the power play; if he wins, he stays on the ice before Ehlers jumps on for the first unit.

Ehlers returns, Nikishin still uncertain

Nikolaj Ehlers will rejoin the Carolina Hurricanes lineup this evening as they host the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 30-year-old winger was sidelined with a lower-body injury for the team's series-clinching victory over the Ottawa Senators one week ago, but the long layoff between rounds allowed him to recover. Alexander Nikishin, the other key lineup question, remains in limbo. The Russian rookie defenseman was diagnosed with a concussion last Sunday after a jarring hit from Tyler Kleven left him prone on the ice and struggling to get up. He must finish navigating the NHL's concussion protocol before being cleared to play. “I think Niki’s still got to clear a test today, so we’ll see on that,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “He’s been practicing with us, so we’ll see.”

Nikishin's progress and potential replacement

Nikishin has been practicing with the team in a full-contact sweater over the past few days, and Brind’Amour has expressed optimism about his chances to play tonight. “Everything’s trending in the right direction,” the coach said after Tuesday's practice. Should Nikishin not be cleared, Mike Reilly is expected to factor in after working alongside Shayne Gostisbehere during the morning skate. Reilly, a veteran defenseman, played 42 regular-season games this season, helping the Hurricanes cope with the absence of top blueliner Jaccob Slavin for much of the schedule. He is the team's seventh defenseman. Carolina also called up defenseman prospect Charles Alexis Legault, a 22-year-old fifth-round draft pick from 2023, from the American Hockey League to work with the team.

Andersen's stellar form and lineup adjustments

Between the pipes, Frederik Andersen is expected to start this evening. The Danish goaltender led all playoff netminders in the first round with a goals-against average of 1.10 and a save percentage of.955. He is 14-4-3 in 21 career regular-season games against the Flyers. In Ehlers' absence during Game 4 of the first round, veteran forward William Carrier took his spot on the third line. Nicolas Deslauriers, in turn, got his first playoff action since 2022 when he replaced Carrier in a testy Game 4 that featured multiple scrums. The Hurricanes' forward lines and defensive pairings for tonight include a combination of Carrier, Mark Jankowski, and Eric Robinson on the third line, with Gostisbehere paired with either Nikishin or Reilly on defense.

Power-play strategy and special teams

On the power play, Jordan Staal has been taking the faceoffs to start most man-advantage situations. If he wins the draw, he stays on the ice; when the puck leaves the zone, he jumps off and Nikolaj Ehlers jumps on with the first unit. For the second unit, Mark Jankowski replaces Staal after a won faceoff. The first power-play unit features Sebastian Aho, Ehlers, Jordan Staal, Seth Jarvis, and Andrei Svechnikov, with Gostisbehere at the point. The second unit includes Jesper Fast, Taylor Hall, Jankowski, and Logan Stankoven, with Nikishin on the blue line if he plays.

Road to Round 2: Hurricanes sweep Senators

Carolina, the Eastern Conference's top seed, advanced to the second round by sweeping the Ottawa Senators in four games. The series-clinching victory came on Saturday, though Ehlers was a late scratch with his lower-body injury. Nikishin was knocked out of the second period of that game after absorbing a hit from Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven. The Hurricanes were the first team to secure a spot in Round 2. They now face the Philadelphia Flyers, who won the first three games of their series against the Pittsburgh Penguins but saw the Penguins extend the series to a Game 6 on Wednesday.

What's at stake and what comes next

With Ehlers back, the Hurricanes regain a key offensive weapon who can bolster their attack against a Flyers team that has shown resilience. Nikishin's availability remains a game-time decision; if he cannot go, Reilly will step into a larger role. The Hurricanes will aim to replicate their first-round dominance, particularly Andersen's exceptional goaltending. The team's depth, evidenced by the call-up of Legault and the ability to plug in veterans like Reilly, will be tested as the playoffs progress. The series opener tonight at PNC Arena in Raleigh will set the tone for what promises to be a hard-fought second-round matchup.

The bottom line

• Nikolaj Ehlers returns to the Hurricanes lineup for Game 1 of Round 2 after missing the series-clinching win with a lower-body injury.
• Alexander Nikishin remains questionable due to a concussion; he must clear the NHL's concussion protocol before playing.
• Frederik Andersen, who led all playoff goaltenders in GAA (1.10) and save percentage (.955) in Round 1, is expected to start.
• Mike Reilly will replace Nikishin if he is not cleared; Charles Alexis Legault has been called up from the AHL as insurance.
• The Hurricanes swept the Ottawa Senators in the first round and are the first team to advance to Round 2.
• Jordan Staal handles power-play faceoffs, with Ehlers joining the first unit after a won draw.