Carolina Hurricanes got a big blow on Tuesday as a star forward Andrei Svechnikov is scheduled to undergo season-ending reconstructive surgery on his right ACL later this week. The team announced on Tuesday, He has also been ruled out for the entirety of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Svechnikov suffered the injury during Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. He got several medical opinions to confirm the need for surgery.
“After further consultation with global experts in this field, it has been determined that the best course of action for Andrei’s future is to perform this surgery, and it is to be performed by Dr. Marty Isbell, our team orthopedist,” Hurricanes President and General Manager Don Waddell said in a press release. “We are confident that Andrei will make a full recovery.”
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The 22-year-old enjoyed another productive season for the Hurricanes, finishing second on the team in scoring with 55 points (23 goals, 32 assists) in 64 games. The winger was named to this year’s All-Star Game, earning the honor for the first time in his young career. He also won the fastest skater event during the skills competition.
The Hurricanes would find it difficult to maintain top spot in the Metropolitan Division without one of their best players. They have lost two games in a row and the rival New Jersey Devils have won three straight to draw level with the Hurricanes with 94 points. The Hurricanes have the seventh toughest remaining schedule in the NHL while things are a little easier for the Devils with the 11th toughest slate.
Carolina hosts the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday before embarking on a three-game road trip that takes them to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers.