Defenseman day to day, missed series opener against Panthers with undisclosed injury
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RALEIGH, N.C. — Jalen Chatfield is day to day and questionable for the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS, CBC).
The defenseman missed Carolina’s 5-2 loss in Game 1 on Tuesday because of an undisclosed injury. He last played in a 5-2 win against the Washington Capitals in Game 4 of the second round on May 12 because of an undisclosed injury.
Chatfield was on the ice with the Hurricanes’ extra skaters Wednesday after being a full paritcipant at the morning skate Tuesday, but coach Rod Brind’Amour said he still needs to be cleared to play.
“All the athletes want to play; if they’re not capable, they’re not capable,” Brind’Amour said. “I think today he is better. I would put him more day to day now, so that’s a good sign.”
Chatfield has one goal and is plus-6 in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games, averaging 20:24 of ice time, including 1:50 per game on the penalty kill. He had 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) and averaged an NHL career-high 18:53 of ice time in 79 regular-season games.
Scott Morrow took Chatfield’s place in the lineup and made his playoff debut on Monday. The rookie defenseman was minus-3 and had three shots on goal in 12:18.
Alexander Nikishin made his NHL debut in Game 5 against the Capitals after five seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League. The defenseman had two shots on goal and two hits in 10:33.
FLA vs. CAR | EDM vs. DAL
FLA vs. TOR | CAR vs. WSH | DAL vs. WPG | EDM vs. VGK
OTT vs. TOR | FLA vs. TBL | MTL vs. WSH | NJD vs. CAR
STL vs. WPG | COL vs. DAL | MIN vs. VGK | EDM vs. LAK
