Despite practicing with the team the last few days, it appears that Carolina Hurricanes rookie defenseman Alexander Nikishin has not yet been cleared to return to play.

The Russian blueliner suffered a concussion last Saturday in Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators after taking a heavy hit from Tyler Kleven.

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour was hopeful that Nikishin would be available as he didn't have many symptoms in the following days and he was even practicing with the team as recently as the morning before Game 1.

However, Brind'Amour also stated that Nikishin still had to pass another test to exit concussion protocol and it seems like he was not able to pass it.

In his place, veteran Mike Reilly will draw into the lineup.

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