RALEIGH, N.C. -- Carolina forward Tuomo Ruutu was scratched from Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Pittsburgh on Wednesday night with a lower-body injury.
Ruutu was replaced in the lineup by rookie Patrick Dwyer as the Hurricanes tried to avoid being swept by the Penguins.
Ruutu was injured in the series opener against the Penguins and did not play in Game 2. He returned for Game 3 on Saturday, but did not have a point and played only 7:49 in the Hurricanes' 6-2 loss.
Ruutu, 26, had the best regular season of his career with Carolina in 2008-09, scoring 26 goals and adding 28 assists for 54 points in 79 games. He has 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points in 16 playoff games this spring.