RALEIGH, N.C. -- Scott Morrow made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut for the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old rookie defenseman had been paired with Shayne Gostisbehere at the morning skate.
“I’m going to play my [butt] off and try and do whatever it takes to help the team win,” Morrow said. “I’ve played enough games now where I think I’m ready for this moment if it comes.
“I think it’s an advantage for me because I’m fresh, I’m healthy, I’m well rested. I’ve had a little bit of a break since I was playing in the NHL playoffs. Just coming in fresh, I’m going to try and bring a lot of energy.”
Morrow hadn’t played since Carolina’s regular-season finale, a 7-5 loss to the Ottawa Senators on April 17. He later played two games with Chicago of the American Hockey League in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
A second-round pick (No. 40) in the 2021 NHL Draft, Morrow had six points (one goal, five assists) and was plus-4 in 14 regular-season games with the Hurricanes.
Jalen Chatfield, who has an undisclosed injury, did not play after participating in the morning skate, the defenseman’s first time on the ice since a 5-2 win against the Washington Capitals in Game 4 of the second round on May 12.
Chatfield has one goal and is plus-6 while averaging 20:24 of ice time, including 1:50 per game on the penalty kill, in nine games this postseason. He had 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) and was plus-22 while averaging an NHL career-high 18:53 of ice time in 79 regular-season games.
