Hurricanes' Dougie Hamilton set to return when playoffs open?

Will Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton be back for the first round of the playoffs? James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Hurricanes hope to have Dougie Hamilton back for Game 1 of first round of playoffs

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/5/20

The Carolina Hurricanes became the first team to qualify for the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs by sweeping the New York Rangers, and now they're set to get one of their best defensemen back heading into the next round.

According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, the Canes are hoping Dougie Hamilton will be available for Game 1 against a still-to-be-determined opponent.

The Hurricanes, the first team to book their ticket to the first round of playoffs last night, hope to have Dougie Hamilton back potentially as early as Game 1. Barring a setback, of course.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) August 5, 2020

Hamilton broke his left leg in January and was sidelined until the NHL season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, he did return for the beginning of training camp in July. He was re-injured before the season resumed, though, resulting in him missing the Canes' series against the Rangers.

The 27-year-old tallied 14 goals and 26 assists through 47 regular-season games. His contributions to the Hurricanes' offense haven't gone unnoticed, though players like Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho have stepped up in his absence.

If Carolina has any hopes of moving past the first round, they'll certainly need Hamilton to do so.

If they match up against the Boston Bruins, things could be disastrous without Hamilton. Carolina was swept by Boston in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals, and the Bruins dominated in all aspects of play.

There's also the possibility they play the Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals or Philadelphia Flyers, and none of those opponents will be an easy task.

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