The Canes try to win their first Eastern Conference Finals game in their last 14 attempts.
The Carolina Hurricanes will be back at it tonight as they take on the Florida Panthers at the Lenovo Center for game two of the Eastern Conference Finals. Game time is 8 P.M. and the contest will be televised by TNT and their affiliated networks.
Florida took game one, 5-2 as the Canes had a hard time converting on their chances.
The good news for Carolina fans is that their team has made the Eastern Conference Finals quite often in the past few years. The bad news is that they have yet to win a game in their last 13 attempts.
Will game number 14 be any different tonight?
It is doubtful Scott Morrow will be back for the home team tonight, but there is still uncertainty whether or not Jalen Chatfield will return to the blueline. Chatfield skated with some extras this morning in what was called an optional skate.
(Apparently, it is not so doubtful)
So did Jesperi Kotkaniemi, leading to speculation he might be scratched tonight in favor of Mark Jankowski.
Of course Brind’Amour confirmed nothing in his interview this morning.
Our friend, Ryan Henkle posted the following on the “X”.
Brind’Amour on Chatfield: “He skated this morning. Haven’t talked with him yet. We’ll see.”
— Ryan Henkel (@RyanHenkel_) May 22, 2025
Brind’Amour also didn’t commit to Jankowski playing tonight. Seems like everything will be wait and see till warmups.
— Ryan Henkel (@RyanHenkel_) May 22, 2025
Brind’Amour says if Chatfield can’t go tonight, Morrow and Nikishin are both options. Didn’t commit to either. Said it’s a tough spot regardless, but that those two are the team’s “best options.”
— Ryan Henkel (@RyanHenkel_) May 22, 2025
We will make a guess on the lines here.
Jarvis – Aho – Svechnikov
Hall – Roslovic – Stankoven
Martinook – Staal – Carrier
Robinson – (Jankowski) – Blake
Slavin – Burns
Walker – Orlov
Gostisbehere – (??)
Of course Fred Andersen will be in net.
I doubt the Panthers will change much if anything regarding their line up.
Look for the Cats to go after Gostisbehere after he intentionally shot the puck at Marchand last game. We will see what happens regarding all of that. At least the defenseman admitted it and did not shy away from the incident.
Can the Hurricanes break through?
Some thoughts:
Is it wise to pair your rookie defenseman, no matter who the replacement is, with your worst blueliner regarding defense?
Will the team stick to their game or be sucked into a physical ordeal with the bigger Panthers?
Here is the team’s preview:
https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/preview-ecf-game-2-vs-fla