Ehlers returns for Hurricanes vs Flyers; Nikishin out with concussion

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Veteran forward Nikolaj Ehlers, hampered by a lower-body injury in the Carolina Hurricanes' first-round sweep of the Ottawa Senators, will return to the lineup Saturday night, when his club hosts the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Ehlers, 30, returned to practice this week, as the Hurricanes awaited their second-round opponent. In his first season with Carolina, Ehlers had 26 goals and 71 points, as the Hurricanes raced to the East's No. 1 seed. He played in three games against Ottawa, registering one assist during an average of 20:01 time on the ice. On Carolina's back end, the Hurricanes, as of Saturday's morning skate, were still awaiting news on rookie Alexander Nikishin for the opener against Philadelphia at Lenovo Center. During Game 4 vs. Ottawa, Nikishin was knocked from the second period after a jarring hit from Tyler Kleven, leaving the defenseman prone on the ice and struggling to get back to his feet. Nikishin was diagnosed with a concussion and had yet to clear the league's concussion protocol, though he has been practicing with the team. The Associated Press contributed to this report.