If you happened across social media during Saturday's fourth game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Ottawa Senators, you likely saw a lot of discourse surrounding the various scrums and cheap shots being thrown. There might've been an unsavory meme or two. All of it started with one hit early in the second period that knocked Alexander Nikishin out of the game.
With just 4:35 gone in the middle frame, Nikishin was on the receiving end of a massive hit by Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven. Nikishin had his head down while trying to find the puck, though it had departed by the time Kleven lined him up and laid him out. Nikishin lay almost motionless on the ice for a moment. When he did get up, Nikishin stumbled as he was being helped off the ice.
To both the untrained eye and the medical geniuses online, it was fairly evident that Nikishin had a concussion. On Sunday morning, the team confirmed this diagnosis, revealing that the Canes' defenseman suffered a concussion on the hit. However, that he traveled home with the team is a great sign. He'll remain under league-standard protocol for now.
Alexander Nikishin was diagnosed with a concussion during Game 4 in Ottawa. He returned with the team to Raleigh where he will continue the NHL’s protocol for a safe return to play.
— Hurricanes PR (@CanesPR) April 26, 2026
Just before the team's post regarding Nikishin's status, insider Elliotte Friedman provided an update of his own. He stated that Nikishin could be seen cheering and celebrating with the team after the series win, providing us with a shred of hope that it might've looked worse than it really was. I doubt that's the case, but it's nice to dream.
I was initially skeptical whether we would see Nikishin dress for another game this postseason. However, the Canes finishing their series in short order will give him roughly a week, if not more, to recover. I think it's unrealistic to assume that Nikishin will be good to go for the start of the second round. I remain optimistic that we'll see him again at some point. His health is first and foremost.
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