Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi out two to three weeks with lower-body injury
The Carolina Hurricanes are in a battle with the Florida Panthers for the top record in the Eastern Conference. Both teams enter action on Thursday with 96 points and fewer than 20 games remaining in their respective regular seasons.
If they are to overtake the Panthers in the stretch run, the Hurricanes may have to do it without a key piece of their offense the rest of the way. According to a report by Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic on Thursday, Carolina forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi is expected to miss two to three weeks with a lower-body injury that he suffered on Monday.
"Kotkaniemi was injured Monday following a collision with Washington Capitals forward Lars Eller," LeBrun wrote. "Teammate Martin Necas told media following the game, a 6-1 Hurricanes win over the Capitals, that the hit was 'stupid' and 'ridiculous.'"
The third-overall pick by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Kotkaniemi spent the first three seasons of his career north of the border, before signing with the Hurricanes in September 2021. The 21-year-old recently signed an eight-year contract extension with the club and has tied his career high this year with 11 goals.
Kotkaniemi has added 15 assists this season and has 26 total points.
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