Hurricanes' Svechnikov to undergo season-ending ACL surgery

Carolina Hurricanes star Andrei Svechnikov will undergo season-ending reconstructive surgery on his right ACL on Thursday, the team announced.

He'll miss the remainder of the regular season as well as the entirety of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Svechnikov was injured Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The 22-year-old power forward is a key cog in Carolina's offensive attack. He ranks third on the team in goals (23) and assists (32) and leads the club in shots (205) and hits (140). He also averages the third-most minutes (18:03 per game) among Hurricanes forwards.

The Canes are also without Max Pacioretty for the remainder of the campaign and playoffs. The veteran offseason acquisition appeared in just five games this season before tearing his Achilles for the second time in five months.

Trade deadline pickup Jesse Puljujarvi may be one of the forwards asked to step up in Svechnikov's absence. The Edmonton Oilers' fourth overall pick in 2016 played on the top line alongside Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis during Sunday's 3-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils. He and Aho were linemates when Finland won gold at the 2016 World Junior Championship.

Carolina selected Svechnikov second overall at the 2018 draft. He's collected 264 points in 347 career games.

The Hurricanes are tied with the Devils atop the Metropolitan Division.

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