Updated

Left wing Sergei Samsonov returned to the Carolina Hurricanes' lineup Thursday night after missing the first two games of the season because of a neck injury.

Samsonov, who did not make Carolina's season-opening trip to Russia and Finland, was cleared earlier in the day to make his season debut against the Ottawa Senators.

The Russian veteran was injured when he was tripped into the boards in a preseason game against Atlanta on Sept. 25 and missed the Hurricanes' two-game series against Minnesota in Helsinki.

Samsonov had 14 goals and 15 assists in 72 games for Carolina last season.