Hurricanes’ Rod Brind’Amour provides key updates on 2 injured players ahead of Round 2

The Carolina Hurricanes were the first team to advance to the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, completing a four-game sweep of the Ottawa Senators in quick fashion.

They now await the winner of who ultimately comes out on top in the ongoing series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, the latter of which leads three games to two with Game 5 on deck for Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, there was some concern regarding the health of two key Hurricanes players, forward Nikolaj Ehlers and defenseman Alexander Nikishin. The good news for the Hurricanes is that the latest update from head coach Rod Brind’Amour paints an optimistic picture.

“I’m hopeful that both guys will be ready by the looks of it,” Brind’Amour said via NHL.com following Carolina’s practice on Tuesday.

“With the concussion thing, everything is trending in the right direction. I guess it kind of depends on how long we’re out for, so that could work in our favor if it is a little longer.”

Ehlers wasn’t available to play in Carolina’s series-clinching 4-2 win over the Senators on Saturday afternoon at the Canadian Tire Centre because of a lower-body injury.

Meanwhile, Nikishin suffered a concussion after being completely leveled along the boards in the second period by Ottawa defenseman Tyler Kleven. The heavy hit sparked a melee on the ice, while Nikishin struggled to maintain his balance and needed assistance from two teammates and a team trainer to make it off the ice safely and into the dressing room.

Ehlers is playing in his first season with the Hurricanes after being signed as a free agent from the Winnipeg Jets. He scored 26 goals with 45 assists while playing in all 82 regular-season games. Nikishin scored 11 goals with 22 assists in 81 regular-season games.

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