Hurricanes' Nino Niederreiter 'very doubtful' to return in Round 2

Carolina Hurricanes right wing Nino Niederreiter (21) shoots as Nashville Predators' Dante Fabbro (57) defends. (Mark Humphrey/AP)

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.

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