In the first half of Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators, the Carolina Hurricanes lost their rookie defenceman, Alexander Nikishin, to injury, which soon led to a line brawl and increased physicality during the rest of the match. Although information was minimal, head coach Rod Brind'Amour spoke to the media about him after the game.
Alexander Nikishin was injured in the second period in Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators
With 15:29 left on the second period clock, Alexander Nikishin hit the ice hard.
Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven took a hard hit on him – a hit that snapped Nikishin's head back and knocked him off his feet. Shortly thereafter, Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho converged on Kleven as others on the ice found someone to feud with.
As soon as Kleven was hit with a major penalty and reviewed, head athletic trainer Doug Bennett rushed onto the ice to tend to Nikishin. He managed to stand on his own strength, but as he went to skate, he fell and was caught by Bennett and Seth Jarvis. Soon after, Shayne Gostisbeer skated over and helped Jarvis off the ice.
After review, Cleven's five-minute major penalty was voided, leaving only Jordan Spence to receive a minor penalty for roughing against Gostisbehere, and Svechnikov receiving two minor penalties against Cleven for roughing, giving the Senators a power play.
Words from head coach Rod Brind'Amour regarding Alexander Nikishin's injury after the game
"Nikishin, I don't know, I can't tell you," Brind'Amour told the media. "It's clearly a concussion there. Or certainly seemed like one."
"So, I don't have any definite information on that."
Nikishin previously suffered an injury in the KHL in January 2025 as captain of SKA St. Petersburg. He was cleared to return to play a week later.
