Hurricanes’ Jesper Fast expected to miss rest of season

“This time of year, it’s not what you want to hear,” Brind’Amour said. “[Fast is out], I think, for the whole playoffs, no matter how far we go. So. that’s really tough, tough for him. He’s put in all that work.”

Fast played in the final game of the regular season, but left the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 16 early. He was ruled out of the series opener last week with an upper-body injury.

The 32-year-old missed six games from late March into early April with an upper-body injury as well. In 73 games, Fast scored six goals and 19 points, far from the same rate that saw the Swedish forward register 34 points in 82 games during the 2021-22 campaign.

In 80 career playoff games, the former New York Ranger has scored 14 goals and 27 points.

There was some slightly positive news from Brind’Amour. He mentioned defenseman Brett Pesce, who left Game 2 against the Islanders with a lower-body injury, might return to the team at some point this postseason.

“We don’t really know the extent [of the injury], but hopeful that, maybe, he can get back at some point.”

It was reported on Wednesday that Pesce will miss the remainder of the first round with the aforementioned ailment.

The Hurricanes came into Thursday night with a 2-0 series lead against the Isles.