Nikolaj Ehlers Returns for Game 1 as Hurricanes Face Flyers
Nikolaj Ehlers is back in the Carolina Hurricanes’ lineup for Round 2, Game 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 30, 2026. He missed the series-deciding win in Ottawa one week earlier with a lower-body injury, and his return gives Carolina a cleaner look for the opener in Philadelphia.
Ehlers Rejoins Carolina
That absence mattered because the Hurricanes had to close out the previous round without him. Ehlers had been sidelined for the Ottawa clincher, then used the gap between series to recover in time for Game 1.
Carolina did not get the same clean bill of health across the board. Alexander Nikishin was diagnosed with a concussion last Sunday and still had to clear a test on the morning of April 30 before he could return to the lineup.
Nikishin And Reilly
Rod Brind’Amour laid out the decision on Nikishin plainly: “I think Niki's still got to clear a test today, so we'll see on that,”. If he cannot go, Mike Reilly is expected to factor into the defense after working alongside Shayne Gostisbehere that morning.
That leaves Carolina with one clear upgrade and one unresolved spot. Ehlers is in, Nikishin is still working through concussion protocol, and the Hurricanes have already started sorting out the defensive pairs that would follow if the rookie defenseman is held out.
Andersen Starts In Goal
Frederik Andersen was expected to get the start in goal. He led all playoff goaltenders with a 1.10 goals-against average and a.955 save percentage in the first round, and he is 14-4-3 in 21 career regular-season games against the Flyers.
On special teams, Jordan Staal has been taking the faceoffs to start most power plays. When he wins the opening draw on the first unit, he stays on until the puck comes out of the zone and then Ehlers jumps on with the group; if Staal wins the opening faceoff for the second unit, Mark Jankowski enters when Staal comes off. That setup gives Carolina a defined entry point for Ehlers in his first game back, with the lineup built around how quickly the Hurricanes can settle the opening shifts against Philadelphia.
