‘I’m Here Now’: Hurricanes Nicolas Deslauriers Reflects on Surprise Playoff Matchup Against Flyers

“But at one point, for me and my career, I wanted a change. And I’m happy they gave it to me. And I’m here now.”

Deslauriers Played Magnificently in Game 4 Despite a Four-Year Postseason Absence

Last Saturday, when the Hurricanes accomplished their sweep of the Ottawa Senators, Deslauriers was in the lineup due to the injury to Nikolaj Ehlers. It was his first postseason appearance since 2022, where he played five games for the Minnesota Wild. Despite such a long period of time since those appearances, he played like he had been in the lineup all along.

“I don’t know that I’ve seen a guy that played as little as that have as much impact on the game,” head coach Rod Brind’Amour said of the Hurricanes’ bruiser on Tuesday, following their first practice since Round One’s conclusion. “I mean, it was every shift and, you know, he’s been just what we needed around here, and I think the guys love him.

“He’s been impactful on the ice when he’s played…He hasn’t played in a long time in the playoffs, but it didn’t look like it.”

After having been asked whether shaving up postseason ice in Game 4 against the Senators had sparked a hunger for more nights in the lineup, Deslauriers’ response to the question was both insightful and straight to the point.

“Not really, to be honest with you…I’m here to do my job, and if it’s on the ice or off the ice, it doesn’t change for me. It’s not more of an ‘anger’, more of being ‘hungry’ or something – I think it’s more of ‘I just want to win’.”

The Hurricanes will have the first Round Two matchup leaguewide of the postseason, and while the schedule beyond Game 1 has yet to be released, one thing can be certain: Deslauriers’ hockey philosophy will remain the same against his former team.

“Hit everybody.”

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