The Carolina Hurricanes could potentially be seeing back-to-back postseason debuts well deep into the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With veteran blueliner Jalen Chatfield still questionable due to an undisclosed injury, it appears that rookie defenseman Scott Morrow could be in line to jump into the Canes' lineup.

"Nothing has been confirmed or denied, but if I'm in there, I'm going to play my ass off and do whatever it takes to help the team win," Morrow said about the possibility of playing tonight. "I've played enough games now where I think I'm ready for this moment if it comes. Whatever role I have, whether I play two minutes or 12 minutes or 20 minutes, I'll be ready to go. Just going to play every shift like it's my last."

Morrow, 22, appeared in 14 games for the Hurricanes this season, registering a goal and six points and averaging 15:48 of ice time per game.

Morrow would be the second straight rookie playoff debut for Carolina after Alexander Nikishin made his NHL debut in Game 5 of the Hurricanes' second-round series against the Washington Capitals.

Nikishin played just 10:33 in that game and had a few big turnovers, so it seems like Rod Brind'Amour is opting for a more familiar option on the blueline this time.

"He's been around a little longer, knows our system a little better than [Alexander Nikishin] does and he played well when he came up," Brind'Amour said on the decision to go with Morrow. "There's also the righty/lefty thing, that does matter a little bit. So those little things help. I think he's earned the right to have a shot, so we'll see."

The 6-foot-2 rookie had been skating alongside Shayne Gostisbehere the last few practices, and it's a player he spent a good chunk of time alongside when he was up with the main club too.

"I think we think the game the same way and we have a lot of natural chemistry," Morrow said. "He's a really good dude and he's not afraid to help me out and talk out there, which is important in a D partner. He's very vocal and I trust him a lot having played with him a little bit. If I was to play with him at any point, I'd be excited for it."

Not only will it be a big challenge for Morrow, going up against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, but he also hasn't played a ton as of late either.

Morrow has been a black ace for nearly the entire playoff run outside of a short, two-game playoff stint with the Chicago Wolves, but regardless, he feels he'll be ready to go if his number is called.

"It's not hard to stay prepared because you know this is a possibility," Morrow said. "There are guys in the league who have been around for 15 years who haven't gotten this far, so even though I'm young, I know it's rare. Even if there's a 1% chance you'll get a chance to play, it's better than 0% and you have to stay ready for the rest of the guys in here."

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