Carolina Hurricanes player Jesperi Kotkaniemi talks to the media on May 1, 2025, two days after he was hit in the eye by a New Jersey Devils’ player’s stick during their NHL playoff game.

Carolina Hurricanes player Jesperi Kotkaniemi talks to the media on May 1, 2025, two days after he was hit in the eye by a New Jersey Devils’ player’s stick during their NHL playoff game.

Things haven’t been going too well for Jesperi Kotkaniemi lately. The Hurricanes’ forward has scored just one goal in his last 36 games… and clearly, his coach is fed up.

A scary high stick to the Hurricanes’ Jesperi Kotkaniemi turned out to be a best-case scenario for the Hurricanes: The forward escaped a serious eye injury, and the Canes eliminated the Devils ...

Carolina Hurricanes player Jesperi Kotkaniemi talks to the media on May 1, 2025, two days after he was hit in the eye by a New Jersey Devils’ player’s stick during their NHL playoff game.

Carolina Hurricanes player Jesperi Kotkaniemi talks to the media on May 1, 2025, two days after he was hit in the eye by a New Jersey Devils’ player’s stick during their NHL playoff game.

Kotkaniemi, his face puffy and bruised, is a lucky man to be able to join them there. ©2025 The News & Observer. Visit at newsobserver.com. Distributed at Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Luke DeCock: Hurricanes’ Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s eye doesn’t look good. He’s lucky it still works. Luke DeCock, The News & Observer May 4, 2025 May 4, 2025 Buy Now ...