It is "very, very doubtful" that Carolina Hurricanes forward Nino Niederreiter will return in Round 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, head coach Rod Brind'Amour told reporters after Game 1.
Niederreiter did not play in Carolina's series-opener against Tampa Bay, a 2-1 loss, due to an undisclosed injury.
The 28-year-old sustained the issue during Saturday's practice. Cedric Paquette took his place in the lineup for Sunday's game.
In six post-season games this year, Niederreiter has scored once, the game-winner in the Hurricanes' series-opener against the Nashville Predators in Round 1. He posted 20 goals and 14 assists in 56 regular-season games.