The Carolina Hurricanes went through a game-like practice Wednesday morning while they waited to learn who they would face next in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with Rod Brind'Amour trying to keep the edge of the postseason alive in a week that could stretch out depending on Philadelphia.
The Flyers held a 3-2 lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins and were scheduled to try to finish the series Wednesday night at home. If Pittsburgh won and forced a seventh game, Carolina's next series would likely be pushed back, leaving the Hurricanes in a longer pause than they want at this time of year.
Brind'Amour said he put the team into situations meant to mimic playoff speed and physicality, calling it a balance between backing off too much and letting the edge go. Seth Jarvis said the session was heavy on battle drills and said it was good to go out and compete, especially after sitting for a few days.
That practice also offered another look at Alexander Nikishin, who skated in a yellow, no-contact jersey Wednesday morning after suffering a concussion on Saturday in Game 4 against Ottawa. Brind'Amour said he was hopeful Nikishin would be ready for the Hurricanes' second-round game and said the defenseman was moving in the right direction through testing.
Hall said concussions are never a straight line back, noting that there are good days and bad days and that symptoms can change as a player ramps up. If Nikishin cannot go, Mike Reilly is ready to step in as Carolina's seventh defenseman at full health, and the Hurricanes recalled Charles Alexis LeGault from the Chicago Wolves earlier in the week as an extra option.
For Carolina, the waiting is not just about an opponent. It is about keeping the playoff pace sharp, getting Nikishin as close to ready as possible and hoping the first-round series in Philadelphia ends without dragging the next round into another delay. The Hurricanes will not practice Thursday morning.
