RALEIGH, N.C. — Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield will not play in Tuesday`s Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
Chatfield, who typically plays on the second pairing alongside Dmitry Orlov, was previously sidelined for the series-clinching game against the Washington Capitals last week due to a lower-body injury. Despite missing multiple practices, he participated in a morning skate on Tuesday, approximately 10 hours before the start of the series opener versus the Panthers.
Filling Chatfield`s spot in the lineup for Game 1 is Scott Morrow, a 22-year-old rising prospect.
Hurricanes Head Coach Rod Brind`Amour mentioned after the morning skate that the decision on Chatfield`s availability was “still debating.” On Monday, Brind`Amour indicated that Chatfield would likely need practice time before he could return to game action.
“Good sign at least that he`s out there with us,” Brind`Amour commented. He also added that Chatfield “definitely wants to play so we`ll see where it goes.”
Top defensive prospect Alexander Nikishin played in Chatfield`s place during the final game against the Capitals, but Morrow was selected for the lineup on Tuesday.
Morrow, Carolina`s second-round draft pick in 2021, appeared in 14 regular-season games this year. He also saw action in two American Hockey League playoff games for Carolina`s affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, in April.
Speaking about the possibility of making his NHL postseason debut, Morrow stated, “I`ve played enough games now where I think I`m ready for this moment if it comes.”
This series is a rematch of the Eastern Conference Final from two years ago. In that previous meeting, the Panthers swept the Hurricanes in four games, with all contests decided by a single goal, including one that went into quadruple overtime.
