TORONTO - When the Carolina Hurricanes begin their First Round series against the Boston Bruins, they'll be without their most experienced playoff forward and a new face on defense.
With both Williams and Vatanen unavailable for the the opening contest of the series, Ryan Dzingel and Jake Gardiner will draw in. Dzingel was a healthy extra for each of the three games in the Cup Qualifiers, while Vatanen recorded three assists in his first three games with the Canes.
Williams, 38, is a veteran of 158 postseason games, in which he's totaled 40 goals and 61 assists (101 points) and three Stanley Cup championships.