Carolina Hurricanes fought to the final whistle but lost 6-5 to Tampa Bay, despite a lineup largely composed of non-NHL players. Amir Miftakhov endured a high-damage night, allowing 6 on 28 shots as the Canes went 0-for-7 on the power play, including a failed 5-on-3. Tyson Jost logged 22:05, adding 5 shots; late-life scoring came from Givani Smith, Gleb Trikozov, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Noel Gunler and Bradly Nadeau, with Kotkaniemi leaving after a stick to the face. Carolina returns home to face Nashville.

The Canes battled back, scoring with 10 seconds left to make it 6-5, but the short-handed circumstances and special-teams miscues cost them. Nikishin led the defensive charge with 4 blocks, while Smith anchored the net-front presence with 7 hits. Nashville Kenotes await, offering another chance to stabilize the lineup and regain momentum after a three-game winless stretch.

Carolina fell 2-1 to Tampa Bay in a tight preseason tilt, with Cayden Primeau turning in 18 saves on 20 shots. He wore 55 as a family tribute and is building depth after a Montreal trade for a 7th-round pick. The Canes outshot the Bolts 30-20 but couldn’t get the equalizer until late in the third.

Logan Stankoven tied it on a tip of a Kevin Labanc shot, while Labanc himself impressed on a Hurricanes tryout. Alexander Nikishin logged 23:08, two blocks, three hits, and looked comfortable at the point on the power play. Carolina heads to Florida on Wednesday after a Tuesday day off.

Carolina Hurricanes open preseason with a prospect heavy lineup against Tampa Bay Lightning at the Lenovo Center, focusing on development and depth. Alexander Nikishin is adjusting to North American ice while Logan Stankoven moves to center with Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake in the mix.

Nadeau and Unger Sorum emerge as top prospects, while Ruslan Khazheyev and Cayden Primeau split net. The schedule stays rigorous ahead of a Wednesday home date with Florida, and Hurricanes fans are urged to check streaming options on the team site.

A fascinating debut for Alexander Nikishin unfolded as he stepped onto the ice without a helmet for warmups before Game 5, marking his first NHL game. This opportunity arose due to Jalen Chatfield's injury, pushing Nikishin, the Hurricanes' top prospect, into the playoff spotlight after a season in Russia. Despite initial nerves and a language barrier, he proved himself, playing over ten minutes and receiving accolades from coach Rod Brind'Amour and teammate Sean Walker for his impressive performance.

Nikishin's debut included a near miss on an offside goal but showcased his physicality, skating ability, and offensive potential. Teammate Andrei Svechnikov praised his resilience in adapting to the NHL's high-pressure environment, emphasizing how difficult it is to transition from the KHL to the NHL playoffs. The Hurricanes, anticipating Chatfield's return, hope to harness Nikishin's potential as they prepare for the Eastern Conference finals against either Florida or Toronto.