OTTAWA, CANADA - APRIL 25: Tyler Kleven #43 of the Ottawa Senators is escorted to his bench after body-checking Alexander Nikishin #21 (not pictured) of the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in Game Four of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 25, 2026, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Senators, Hurricanes brawl after Kleven's hit on Nikishin

Kyle Cushman
19 days ago
Andre Ringuette / National Hockey League / Getty

A massive hit from Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven on Carolina Hurricanes rearguard Alexander Nikishin sparked some chaos in Saturday's Game 4.

Kleven caught Nikishin with the huge hit in the second period. Nikishin was helped off the ice, and Carolina subsequently announced he wouldn't return to the game due to an upper-body injury. Kleven wasn't assessed a penalty after a review.

The Senators ended up on the power play after the ensuing melee. Andrei Svechnikov got a double minor for roughing after throwing punches at Kleven.

The temperature rose even higher after Brady Tkachuk delivered a big hit on Taylor Hall minutes later.

A fracas involving Tkachuk, K'Andre Miller, and Nicolas Deslauriers, among others, broke out seconds following after an icing call. Senators forward Ridly Greig uppercut a defenseless Sean Walker during the scrum.

Walker seemed to seek revenge moments later by boarding Greig. The Hurricanes defenseman was assessed a two-minute minor.

Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson was injured on a hit by Hall in Game 3 and didn't play Saturday.

The Hurricanes went on to win the game 4-2 to sweep the series and advance to the second round.

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