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.
Alexander Nikishin needed help off the ice after taking a huge hit from Tyler Kleven. pic.twitter.com/2Bqf7LjXfT
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 25, 2026
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.
BRADY TKACHUK WITH A MASSIVE HIT ON TAYLOR HALL 💥 #StanleyCup
— NHL (@NHL) April 25, 2026
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT (TBS)
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/6mv7g7mHTJ
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.
CHAOS IN OTTAWA 🫨 pic.twitter.com/f8DxsTCsg9
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 25, 2026
Walker seemed to seek revenge moments later by boarding Greig. The Hurricanes defenseman was assessed a two-minute minor.
AND THE CHAOS CONTINUES IN GAME 4 😱 pic.twitter.com/GxG414OGt5
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 25, 2026
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.











