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.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Nikolaj Ehlers and Alexander Nikishin could be available for the Carolina Hurricanes at the start of the Eastern Conference Second Round. “I’m hopeful that both guys will be ready by the looks of it,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said after neither practiced Tuesday.

Key Hurricanes Ehlers and Nikishin are battling injuries, but coach Brind'Amour is optimistic for their potential return as Carolina awaits their second-round opponent.

Nikolaj Ehlers is enjoying a terrific first season with the Carolina Hurricanes, and he added his name to an exclusive list on Monday night.

Speaking to the media after practice, Rod Brind'Amour was optimistic when asked about each player's status, noting that he's "hopeful that both guys will be ready (for Round 2), by the looks of it." Specific to Nikishin,

Hurricanes face a significant offensive void as their star winger is sidelined, potentially impacting power play and even-strength dynamics.

MORRISVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The mission has long been the same for the Carolina Hurricanes in building a perennial playoff contender around a collective effort to wear down opponents with an aggressive forecheck and pressing the attack.

Nikolaj Ehlers adapted to Hurricanes' tight-checking system and set career highs in assists and points.

After going up 3-0 in their first-round playoff series, the Philadelphia Flyers dropped a pair to Pittsburgh before closing it out in Game 6.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia(AP) — Nikolaj Ehlers sealed his seventh career hat trick with an empty-net goal and the Carolina Hurricanes held off the Vancouver Canucks for a 6-4 victory on Wednesday night. Sean Walker, Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho ...

The Eastern Conference’s top seed closed out a first-round sweep of Ottawa.