Nikolaj Ehlers is back in the lineup for the Carolina Hurricanes

RALEIGH, NC — Veteran forward Nicholas EhlersInterrupted by a lower-body injury Carolina Hurricanes‘ First round sweep Ottawa SenatorsWill return to the lineup Saturday night, when his club hosts Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Ehlers, 30, returned to practice this week as the Hurricanes await their second-round opponent. In his first season with Carolina, Ehler had 26 goals and 71 points as the Hurricanes moved to the No. 1 seed in the East. He played three games against Ottawa, registering one assist in an average of 20:01 on ice.

On Carolina’s back end, the Hurricanes, as of Saturday’s morning skate, were still awaiting news on the rookie. Alexander Nikishin for the opener against Philadelphia at the Lenovo Center.

During Game 4 vs. Ottawa, Nikishin was knocked out in the second period. Tyler KlavenLeft the defenseman prone on the ice and struggled to get back to his feet.

Nikishin was diagnosed with a concussion and is still practicing with the team even though he has not cleared the league’s concussion protocol.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.