The Carolina Hurricanes received a hint of good news of Friday. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour shared that forward Seth Jarvis is expected to play in Game 3 despite leaving Game 2 early with an apparent injury, per Sportsnet’s Eric Engels. Brind’Amour added that defenseman Sean Walker, who also left Game 2 early, will be “iffy” for Saturday’s matchup.
Walker exited Game 2 after his first shift in the second period following a big hit from Florida’s A.J. Greer. He was in the dressing room for 11 minutes of gametime but managed to return for a few more shifts in the period, before ultimately being pulled for good during the second intermission. Top forward Jarvis then left the game halfway through the third period after a hit from Niko Mikkola seemed to knock his head into the ice. Jarvis played one more shift after the big hit, but seemed to be off-balance and stumbling.
Hurricanes can breath a sigh of relief knowing that Jarvis will stick in the lineup. The 23-year-old currently leads the Hurricanes in playoff scoring with 12 points in 12 games. He’s also recorded the highest plus-minus, and second-most ice time average ice time, of any of Carolina’s forwards. Somehow Jarvis has found a way to earn an even bigger role in the postseason, after establishing himself as a summer-hockey star last year with nine points and 20:35 in average ice time through 11 playoff games. Jarvis should continue in his top-line role with a bill of good – or, good enough – health.
Walker’s injury could pose problems for Carolina, though. The Hurricanes are already without third-pair defenseman Jalen Chatfield, who’s been day-to-day with an undisclosed injury through the team’s last three games. Carolina has turned to Scott Morrow in Chatfield’s absence, but the rookie defender has seem clearly outmatched by the pace of late-playoff hockey. Walker could open another hole in the lineup – though Carolina can find a thin silver lining in having star prospect Alexander Nikishin as their top healthy scratch. Nikishin made his NHL debut this postseason and managed two hits and two shots on net despite just 10:33 in ice time. He’s lauded as one of the world’s best U23 players after posting 46 points in 61 KHL games this season. Carolina may need to lean on that Russian expertise – and someone playing on their off-hand – should Walker be forced out of the Game 3 lineup.