In bit of a surprise, the Carolina Hurricanes will be holding Joni Pitkanen out of tonight's home opener against the Philadelphia Flyers. Paul Maurice confirmed this in the post morning skate press briefing.
"It's just precautionary, nothing to do with his knee, really. He has yet to take much contact and we want to be sure before we risk him."
It certainly makes sense not to rush him, especially when seventh defenseman Jay Harrison has played so well in the preseason. Harrison played in all four exhibition games for the Canes.
The team will make a decision about Pitkanen's status day to day.
The new pairings will be
- Gleason/Corvo
- Ward/Alberts
- Wallin/Harrison