The Carolina Hurricanes are gearing up for their second-round series against the Washington Capitals, although the exact timing of the games remains uncertain. In the meantime, the team has found some positive developments as goaltender Frederik Andersen returned to practice for the first time since an undisclosed injury removed him from Game 4 against the New Jersey Devils.
Andersen, practicing alongside Pyotr Kochetkov, was a full participant in the session, marking the first absence of a third goalie during postseason practices. Andersen expressed optimism after the practice at Lenovo Center, stating, “It was a good step today. I’m happy to be back out there with the guys. I feel good.”
Although neither Andersen nor Coach Rod Brind’Amour confirmed Andersen’s availability for Game 1, his performance in Round 1, boasting a 1.59 goals against average and a .936 save percentage, indicates a positive outlook.
Andersen acknowledged the disappointment of leaving in the middle of a playoff series, saying, “You never want to leave a game in the middle of the playoff series. Obviously, we were able to close out the win, and I’m happy about that, but it sucked not being able to be out there.”
Practice on Friday included slight adjustments for Brind’Amour’s team. Sebastian Aho was absent due to personal reasons, and Eric Robinson was also unavailable, leading Jack Roslovic and Tyson Jost to stand in temporarily. Brind’Amour mentioned that Robinson “just wasn’t feeling 100%.”
On defense, Scott Morrow was working with the main group alongside Alexander Nikishin, taking over the spot from Riley Stillman.
The potential scheduling of the Hurricanes’ upcoming games remains dependent on the outcome of the Colorado Avalanche Game 7 and the possibility of a Game 7 between the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets. The latter matchup’s outcome could lead to scheduling information for the Eastern Conference.
The Blues and Jets are set to play at 8 p.m., and the game will be broadcast nationally in the United States on TNT, truTV, and MAX. As the Hurricanes prepare for Round 2, fans are encouraged to secure their seats to experience playoff hockey in Raleighwood. The series against the Capitals promises to bring excitement to “the Loudest House.”
