Chatfield remains after Hurricanes in game 2 of the Eastern Finale

Raleigh, NC – Jalen Chatfield stayed in the Lenovo Center for the Carolina Hurricanes in game 2 of the final Eastern Conference against the Florida Panthers.

The 29-year-old defender missed the last three games, including Carolina's 5-2 loss in game 1 on Tuesday, because of an unknown injury. He last played in a 5-2 win against the Washington Capitals in game 4 of the second round on May 12th.

Chatfield had been on the ice with the extra hurricanes on Wednesday after being a complete paritalization at Morning Skating on Tuesday, although coach Rod Brind'amour said he still had to be clarified to play. Carolina did not organize a full morning skate on Thursday.

“He drove this morning. I haven't had a conversation with him yet, so we'll see,” said Brind'amour on Thursday.

Chatfield has a goal and a plus 6 rating and achieved an average of 20:24 ICE TIME in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games, including 1:50 per game at The ElfMy Kill. He had 18 points (seven goals, 11 templates) and a plus-22 rating, while in 79 regular games of the regular season he had an average NHL career high of 18:53 ICE time.

Scott Morrow, who celebrated his playoff debut on Monday, took Chatfields for the second game in a row. The 22-year-old was in game 1 minus 3 in 12:18.

The other option of Hurricanes to replace Chatfield was Alexander Nikishin, who celebrated his NHL debut in the series 3-1 against the capitals in game 5 of the second round on May 15. The 23-year-old, who played the last six seasons in the continental hockey League, and two goals in 10:33.

“Both, it is a difficult place to put them in, newcomers who didn't have much NHL experience, a man who doesn't understand English so well,” said Brind'amour. “It is not ideal for this season.”

The striker Jesperi Kotkaniemi was scratched in game 2 for the first time in this post. Mark Jankowski, who had not played since game 1 of the second round on May 6th, took his place in the line -up.

“[Jankowski is] Healthy, said Brind'amour. “He wasn't a few weeks, but now he is ready to go, so it is a good option for us.”