Kotkaniemi will take a seat on Thursday as Mark Jankowski returns from an undisclosed injury. Scott Morrow will also draw out in favour of Jalen Chatfield (lower-body).

For the first time this postseason, the Hurricanes are trailing a series, down 1-0 to the Florida Panthers, and will hope to rebound on Thursday in Game 2. Before Game 1, Andersen had a stellar 1.36 GAA and .937 SV% in nine games (7-2). He allowed five goals on 20 shots (.750 SV%) in Tuesday's 5-2 Game 1 loss. Still, the Hurricanes enter a crucial contest on Thursday as -136 home favorites against the Panthers.

Chatfield has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but skated on Wednesday and head coach Rod Brind'Amour said that "he was better. I'd put him at day-to-day now, so that's a good sign." Expect Chatfield to replace Scott Morrow in the lineup if he's able to play in Game 2.

Nikishin made his NHL debut in Game 5 against the Capitals, filling in for Jalen Chatfield (lower-body). Chatfield is still unavailable for the first game of round three, but the Hurricanes are opting to dress Scott Morrow over Nikishin.

Chatfield has been dealing with a lower-body injury since Game 4 vs. the Capitals and was questionable to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Scott Morrow will dress in his place.

The Hurricanes are well-rested heading into Game 1 on Tuesday, having played the fewest games of all teams remaining in the playoffs after eliminating the Washington Capitals on Thursday in five games. Andersen has been terrific this postseason, posting a stellar 1.36 GAA, .937 SV%, and one shutout in nine games (7-2), and will return to the crease for Game 1. The Hurricanes enter the action on Tuesday as -121 home favorites against the Panthers.

Chatfield has been dealing with a lower-body injury since Game 4 vs. the Capitals and is questionable to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He was not on the ice for Monday's practice, and Scott Morrow skated in his spot, so look for Morrow to dress if Chatfield is unavailable.

Rod Brind'Amour announced Saturday that he was hopeful the Hurricanes would have defensemen Jalen Chatfield back for the start of their upcoming Eastern Conference Final. The 29-year-old stay-at-home defenseman missed Game 5 of the Hurricanes' previous series vs. Washington with an undisclosed injury after posting a goal and a +6 plus/minus through nine games in the playoffs so far.

The Hurricanes can advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with a victory on Thursday in Game 5, rolling with Andersen between the pipes. Andersen has been excellent for the Hurricanes through eight games this postseason (6-2), boasting a 1.41 GAA and .935 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Game 5 as -164 road favorites against the Washington Capitals.

Nikishin will slot in for Jalen Chatfield, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Nikishin was Carolina's third-round pick, 69th overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old Nikishin has spent the previous few seasons in the KHL. He scored 46 points (17G / 29A) in 61 games with St. Peterburgh SKA (KHL) this season.

Chatfield was banged up in Game 4 but was expected to play in Game 5. The 29-year-old defenseman has one point (1G / 0A), six penalty minutes, and 11 blocks in nine games this postseason. Alexander Nikishin will make his NHL debut in his place.

The Hurricanes can advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with a victory on Thursday in Game 5, rolling with Andersen between the pipes. Andersen has been excellent for the Hurricanes through eight games this postseason (6-2), boasting a 1.41 GAA and .935 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Game 5 as -164 road favorites against the Washington Capitals.

Chatfield was banged up in Game 4 but is expected to play in Game 5. The 29-year-old defenseman has one point (1G / 0A), six penalty minutes, and 11 blocks in nine games this postseason.

Andersen will make his eighth start of the post-season when the Hurricanes host the Capitals in Game 4 on Monday. Andersen turned in another stellar performance in Game 3, stopping all 21 shots he faced in the 4-0 shutout victory. The 35-year-old netminder is leading the NHL Playoffs with a remarkable .940 SV% and 1.32 GAA. The Hurricanes enter action on Monday at -236 on the money line.

Andersen allowed two goals on 20 shots (.900 SV%) in Carolina's Game 2 loss to the Washington Capitals, evening the series at 1-1. The 35-year-old netminder has a stellar 1.55 GAA and .930 SV% in six games this postseason (4-2). The Hurricanes enter Game 3 as sizeable -238 home favourites against the Capitals.

Jankowski left Game 1 on Tuesday with an undisclosed injury after just 6:17 TOI and was a game-time decision for Game 2 in Washington on Tuesday. The 30-year-old depth center has been enjoying his time in Carolina since being acquired at the trade deadline, with eight goals and an assist in 22 games between the regular season and the playoffs.

After posting a .936 SV% in Carolina's opening round win, Frederik Andersen introduced himself to Washington with a 13-save (.929 SV%) win over the Capitals in Game 1. The 35-year-old veteran struggled through injuries and setbacks during the regular season, which led to him posting an .899 SV% and 2.50 GAA in 22 appearances, but has bounced back nicely in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He will look to take a 2-0 series lead as Carolina heads to Washington for Game 2 on Thursday, who is averaging 3.16 GAA through their six playoff games thus far.

After posting a .936 SV% in Carolina's opening round win, Frederik Andersen introduced himself to Washington with a 13-save (.929 SV%) win over the Capitals in Game 1. The 35-year-old veteran struggled through injuries and setbacks during the regular season, which led to him posting an .899 SV% and 2.50 GAA in 22 appearances, but has bounced back nicely in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He will look to take a 2-0 series lead as Carolina heads to Washington for Game 2 on Thursday, who is averaging 3.16 GAA through their six playoff games thus far.

Jankowski left Game 1 on Tuesday with an undisclosed injury after just 6:17 TOI and will be a game-time decision for Game 2 in Washington on Tuesday. The 30-year-old depth center has been enjoying his time in Carolina since being acquired at the trade deadline, with eight goals and an assist in 22 games between the regular season and the playoffs.

Jankowski appeared to suffer the injury during the second period on Tuesday and was unable to return. We should get an update on his status ahead of Game 2 on Thursday.