The clock is creeping towards midnight in Montreal. Habs Nation is hoping it doesn’t strike 12 before the Stanley Cup Playoffs even begin.

Kotkaniemi (undisclosed) is expected to be available for Wednesday's road matchup against the Canadiens, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes ' official site reports.

Set to duel with the New Jersey Devils for the sixth time in franchise history, the Canes have a rich playoff past with their rivals from the Garden State. Their prior five playoff meetings make New ...