The Carolina Hurricanes may be without defensive winger Jesper Fast for Game 1 of their first-round series against the New York Islanders per Canes coach Rod Brind'Amour.
Fast, who was injured in Tuesday's regular season finale in Columbus, was not on the ice for the Hurricanes practice on Thursday, and when asked about it, Brind'Amour didn't seem too confident that he'd be back tomorrow either.
"He wasn't able to practice today," Brind'Amour said. "I doubt he'll be practicing tomorrow, but maybe. We'll see."
When asked if it at least isn't a long-term concern, he didn't sound too confident in that either.
"I don't know, we'll see."
While no information on Fast's injury has been released, after he went hard into the end boards on Tuesday, back first, he was immediately grabbing at his head afterwards.
The Swedish forward has a history with concussions and already dealt with one earlier this season after a game against the New York Rangers in January.
If that is indeed the same concern now, then there really is no timeline because all head injuries are different.
While Fast isn't known for being an offensive guy, last season, he was a playoff difference maker for Carolina.
He led the team in scoring with six postseason goals, including two overtime winners, one of which was a series clincher.
Beyond that though, he's one of the Hurricanes' best defensive forwards and a tremendous forechecker.
He's a player that just does all the little things right and he's a player who's absence could be felt.
If Fast can't go, Jesperi Kotkaniemi is expected to draw into the lineup in his spot on the fourth line.