Defenseman has missed past 3 games with undisclosed injury
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RALEIGH, N.C. — Jalen Chatfield remained out for the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center on Thursday.
The 29-year-old defenseman has missed the past three games, including 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.
Chatfield had been on the ice with the Hurricanes’ extra skaters on Wednesday after being a full paritcipant at the morning skate on Tuesday, though coach Rod Brind’Amour said he still needed to be cleared to play. Carolina did not hold a full morning skate Thursday.
“He skated this morning. I haven’t had a conversation with him yet, so we’ll see,” Brind’Amour said Thursday.
Chatfield has one goal and a plus-6 rating while averaging 20:24 of ice time, including 1:50 per game on the penalty kill, in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games. He had 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) and a plus-22 rating while averaging an NHL career-high 18:53 of ice time in 79 regular-season games.
Scott Morrow, who made his playoff debut on Monday, took Chatfield’s place in the lineup for the second straight game. The 22-year-old was minus-3 in 12:18 in Game 1.
The Hurricanes’ other option to replace Chatfield was Alexander Nikishin, who made his NHL debut in the series-clinching 3-1 win against the Capitals in Game 5 of the second round on May 15. The 23-year-old, who played the past six seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League, had two shots on goal and two hits in 10:33.
“Both of them, it’s a tough spot to put them in, rookies who haven’t had a lot of NHL experience, one guy who doesn’t understand english that well,” Brind’Amour said. “It’s not ideal for this time of year.”
Forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi was scratched in Game 2 for the first time this postseason. Mark Jankowski, who hadn’t played since Game 1 of the second round on May 6, took his place in the lineup.
“[Jankowski is] healthy,” Brind’Amour said. “He wasn’t for a couple weeks, but now he’s ready to go, so he’s a good option for us.”
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