Patrick Brown
All three Checkers forwards remaining in Raleigh returned in one fell swoop Saturday night.

After both teams had concluded their business for the evening, the Hurricanes returned long-time Checkers linemates Patrick Brown, Brody Sutter and Brendan Woods to Charlotte. All three played together in the Hurricanes’ loss to Columbus, while the Checkers simultaneously fell in a shootout to Texas.

With those three back in the fold for the time being – it remains to be seen what needs Carolina might have before both teams return to action on Tuesday – only Phil Di Giuseppe, Ryan Murphy and Noah Hanifin remain as players eligible to join Charlotte for the postseason, should it qualify.

Of the three who returned to Charlotte Saturday, Brown had the most offensive success with a goal and assist against the New York Rangers on Tuesday that marked his first two NHL points.

The Hurricanes, who have three games remaining, travel to Boston on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Charlotte has six games left on its schedule, the next four of which are home against Rockford and Milwaukee between Tuesday and Sunday, April 10.