“We always expect the other team to bring their best,” Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes said ahead of Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Caps. With the top seed of the division being 1-3 down in the best-of-seven-game series, the Canes expected nothing but a hard fight as they took to the ice at the Capital One Arena. However, the advantage also gives the Canes the confidence to experiment with the lineup a bit. Enter: Alexander Nikishin.

The Carolina team drafted the 23-year-old Russian defenseman as a third-round pick in 2020. With Jalen Chatfield out of the lineup ahead of today’s game, the Canes faced a blue line crisis. However, it looks like Chatfield’s undisclosed injury has opened up a golden opportunity for Alexander Nikishin.

The official NHL News account took to X on May 15 to reveal the latest Canes debutant. “Alexander Nikishin will make his NHL debut tonight for #Canes in Game 5,” the social media post noted. During the morning workouts, Nikishin was spotted taking the customary solo lap, which is mandatory for anyone making their debut in the league.

The 6-foot-4, 216-pounder has earned quite a reputation for himself over the years. An incredibly popular hockey star in his native country, Nikishin has often been hailed as “the best defenseman outside the NHL.” In his final season for the SKA St. Petersburg in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League, the 2020 3rd round pick (No.69), who was also the team’s captain, posted 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) in 61 regular-season games. He finished his KHL career as St. Petersburg’s all-time highest-scoring defenseman with 177 points.

Needless to say, the Russian’s debut in the NHL will be a treat for the eyes. Nikishin would be paired with the Canes’ vet, Shayne Gostisbehere, and fellow countryman, Dmitry Orlov. Before the match, Carolina’s head coach, Rod Brind’Amour, said that Chatfield would be a game-time decision, and, ultimately, it looked like it was Alexander’s lucky day.

With a +71 rating in 288 KHL games across SKA and Spartak Moscow, the defenseman has proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with. However, as he begins his NHL journey, Alexander Nishikin’s performance tonight will be a crucial moment in his career. With Orlov’s contract expiring next year, his display on the ice will hold special weight. Considering that the 2024-25 season was somewhat of a downer in his career, Nikishin would need to pull up his socks.

After all, his debut just might be the day when the Hurricanes book their berth to the Western Conference finals!

Alexander Nikishin could have a remarkable start to his NHL career

The Canes finished the regular season just behind the Caps in the Metropolitan Division. In the first round of the Western Conference, Coach Brind’Amour’s boys ousted the New Jersey Devils from the playoffs in five games, taking the series 4-1. In the second round, too, it looks like Carolina is determined to continue its quest for its second Stanley Cup.

From Gostisbehere to goalie Frederik Andersen, everyone on the team has been more than up for any challenge thrown at them. Ahead of Game 5, Andersen leads all qualifying goalies in GAA (1.41) and save percentage (.945) in the postseason, while also posting the fifth-longest shutout streak in the NHL’s history (123:24).

“It doesn’t really change the way we want to approach this game. Every game is hard,” star center Aho said before going back to the Capital One Arena in a bid to wrap things up tonight. On the other hand, after failing repeatedly to subdue the divisional comrades, the Caps’ head coach, Spencer Carbery, seems to think Alex Ovechkin & Co. lack the necessary skills to assert their dominance. So can the Hurricanes take advantage of their foes’ weakened state, and give Alexander Nikishin the dream debut any hockey star would desire? At the time of publishing, Game 5 between the Caps and the Canes is tied 1-1. But who will ultimately come out on top? Just a few more minutes before we get to know!