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Hurricanes defenseman will draw back into the lineup for Game 5
Photo credit: NHLPA.com
The Carolina Hurricanes are riding a high after a dominant 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals in Game 4, putting them on the verge of reaching the Eastern Conference Final. However, not everything went smoothly as defenceman Jalen Chatfield appeared to tweak something in Game 4.
Chatfield's availability for the rest of the series may be in doubt due to injury, but Hurricanes head coach Rob Brind'Amour delivered some good news on Wednesday ahead of Game 5.
Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield will draw back into the lineup for Game 5.
Chatfield tweaked something during Game 4 on Monday and sat out Wednesday's practice, though head coach Rod Brind'Amour confirmed it was just a maintenance day.
Brind'Amour says Chatfield will play tomorrow; just a maintenance day.
He's expected to be in the lineup as the Hurricanes look to clinch a spot in the conference finals.
Through his first nine playoff games this year, Chatfield has tallied a goal, 11 blocked shots, nine hits, six penalty minutes, and a plus-6 rating, while averaging 20:24 of ice time.
While coaches often keep injury details close to the chest, there's no denying the Hurricanes will need Chatfield in the lineup if they hope to close out the series.
Following a 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 on Monday, the Capitals now trail 3-1 in their second-round playoff series. If they can't pull out a win in Game 5 on Thursday, it would mark their sixth playoff series loss in seven attempts since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018.
Game 5 is set for Thursday at 7:00pm back in Washington.
| POLL | ||
MAI 14 | 39 ANSWERS Hurricanes defenseman will draw back into the lineup for Game 5 Will the Hurricanes close out the series against the Capitals in Game 5 on Thursday? | ||
| yes | 22 | 56.4 % |
| no | 17 | 43.6 % |
| List of polls | ||