Hurricanes, Panthers missing key players for Game 3 of Eastern Conference final

Chip Alexander and Luke DeCock, The News & Observer on May 24, 2025

Published in Hockey

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SUNRISE, Fla. — Both the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers will be missing key players Saturday for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final.

Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said defenseman Jalen Chatfield will miss another playoff game. Chatfield has been sidelined the past three games with an undisclosed injury and did not participate in Saturday’s morning skate.

Defenseman Sean Walker left Game 2 on Thursday in Raleigh, N.C., after taking a hit. Walker was at Saturday’s morning skate but left early, but Brind’Amour said the plan was “to give him a little twirl” at the skate and that Walker would be a game-time decision.

The Panthers, who lead the series 2-0, will be without forward Sam Reinhart, Florida coach Paul Maurice said Saturday. Reinhart, who left Game 2 with a lower-body injury, is day-to-day, Maurice said.

Reinhart, a 39-goal scorer in the regular season, has 11 points in 14 playoff games. Jesper Boqvist will replace Reinhart in the Panthers lineup.

Brind’Amour said winger Seth Jarvis, who absorbed a big hit in Game 2, was good to go.

Canes lineup changes

Brind’Amour has made two lineup decisions and may have to make more, depending on the status of Walker.

Brind’Amour said goalie Pyotr Kochetkov would be the starter ahead of Frederik Andersen in Game 3. Kochetkov relieved Andersen in Game 2 in the third period in the 5-0 loss.

“Just change the vibes a little bit,” Brind’Amour said in explaining the change.

“I don’t blame Freddie on any of the goals that went in. Obviously his save percentage is not great, if you look at that. We do need some saves. but I can’t blame him. All the goals have been on great shots or plays by them. ‘Kooch ‘ is a kid we’ve had in there all year and played well for us.”

Jesperi Kotkaniemi will go back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch in Game 2 and will center the second line with wingers Taylor Hall and Logan Stankoven.

“We need more out of him if he’s going to play that role,” Brind’Amour said of Kotkaniemi. “Even if he’s not scoring, he needs to be a little more impactful. He’s a big body and he needs to use it a little more.”

The line rushes at the skate also had Sebastian Aho between Andrei Svechnikov and Jarvis; Jordan Staal at center with Jordan Martinook and Will Carrier, and Mark Jankowski at center with Eric Robinson and Jackson Blake. Jack Roslovic appeared to be an extra.

If Walker can’t go, it’s possible the Canes could have two rookie defensemen — Scott Morrow and Alexander Nikishin — in the lineup. Morrow worked with the second power-play unit Saturday morning. Defensemen Riley Stillman and Ty Smith also have practiced with the team.

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