The Carolina Hurricanes have announced that forward Andrei Svechnikov is sidelined with an injury. The injury was suffered in the Hurricanes Game 3 loss to the Boston Bruins. Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour said that he would “highly doubt it” if Svechnikov returns this series. If Carolina were to make it past Boston, he’d be questionable then too.
Rod Brind’Amour, on whether Andrei Svechnikov might return in this series or the playoffs: “I would highly doubt it.”
Brind’Amour hadn’t received any news from the MRI though.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) August 16, 2020
Andrei Svechnikov Out for the Hurricanes
Late in the third period against the Boston Bruins in Game 3, Svechnikov was battling in the offensive zone in front of the Boston net with Zdeno Chara. He was tied up and pushed a little, losing his balance and falling awkwardly on his right leg. Svechnikov was helped off the ice by two personnel, not putting any weight on his right leg.
In 68 games this season, Svechnikov scored 24 goals and 37 assists for 61 points. His possession numbers were 56.6% Corsi and a relative Corsi of 3.3%.
In the six games he has played so far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Svechnikov has registered four goals and three assists.
Over his two-year NHL career, Svechnikov has 44 goals and 54 assists for 98 points, playing all 150 career games with the Hurricanes. He was originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round, 2nd overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
What This Means for the Future
With Svechnkiov going down in Game 3, the Hurricanes have their work cut out for them. Svechnikov has been a key piece for the Hurricanes this postseason, with seven points in six games. Along with Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen, the Hurricanes’ first line has been deadly. However, they haven’t got much offence outside of that line. This lead to the Hurricanes trying to mix things up by putting Svechnikov on the second line next to Vincent Trocheck and Martin Necas. The goal was to make it tougher on the Bruins match up wise. However, with the injury to Svechnikov, that plan is foiled.
Other players will have to step up their offensive game to fill the massive gap left by Svechnikov’s absence. Players like Trocheck, Necas and Justin Williams will have to find another gear to help take some pressure off of Aho and Teravainen.
Svechnikov is also a large part of why the Canes are so good with puck possession; his Corsi percentage was well over 50%, meaning the Hurricanes control the puck more often than not while he’s on the ice. His loss will certainly be felt by the club.
Game 4 is scheduled for Monday, August 17th at 8 est.
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