Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield sat out Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Florida Panthers, allowing 22-year-old Scott Morrow to step in for his postseason debut in the team’s 5-2 loss. Chatfield had missed Game 5 against the Washington Capitals in the previous round due to an undisclosed injury. Despite skating prior to Game 1 in Raleigh, he was ultimately ruled out, paving the way for Morrow to take the ice.
Morrow, in his second NHL season, had only played two games in 2023-24 and 14 games this season, accumulating six points and averaging 15:48 of ice time. A standout defensive prospect since being selected 40th in the 2021 NHL draft, Morrow spent three seasons at UMass before going pro in 2024. Facing the tough Panthers, Morrow had 39 points in 52 games for the AHL Chicago Wolves this season, making his debut in Game 1 of the series. Despite a challenging matchup, Morrow managed 15 shifts and 12:18 of ice time, registering three shots on net but ending with a disappointing minus-3 rating.
Coach Rod Brind’Amour highlighted Morrow’s experience with the team’s system and his solid performance when called up, making him the preferred choice over Alexander Nikishin. This series marks a rematch of the 2023 conference finals where the Panthers swept the Hurricanes in four games. The 1-0 series deficit for Carolina echoes the previous year’s start, setting the stage for a crucial Game 2 on Thursday. While the score differed significantly from the previous series opener, the Hurricanes find themselves in a familiar position as they seek redemption against the Panthers.
