Alexander Nikishin Out For Game 1 Against Flyers

TL;DR

Carolina Hurricanes rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin will miss Game 1 against the Flyers due to not being cleared from concussion protocol. He suffered the concussion in Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators after a hit from Tyler Kleven.

Key points

Alexander Nikishin is a rookie defenseman for the Carolina Hurricanes.
He suffered a concussion in Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators.
Nikishin was practicing but did not pass the test to exit concussion protocol.

Alexander NikishinCarolina HurricanesPhiladelphia FlyersNHL Playoffs

Despite practicing with the team the last few days, it appears that Carolina Hurricanes rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin has not yet been cleared to return to play.

The Russian blueliner suffered a concussion last Saturday in Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators after taking a heavy hit from Tyler Kleven.

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour was hopeful that Nikishin would be available as he didn't have many symptoms in the following days and he was even practicing with the team as recently as the morning before Game 1.

However, Brind'Amour also stated that Nikishin still had to pass another test to exit concussion protocol and it seems like he was not able to pass it.

In his place, veteran Mike Reilly will draw into the lineup.