Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin returns to lineup after missing 29 games
The Carolina Hurricanes have been able to reach first place in the Metropolitan Division without star defenseman Jaccob Slavin for most of the season. They got Slavin back in the lineup for Sunday’s 3-2 shootout win over the Philadelphia Flyers after a 29-game absence with what the team called a “lower-body injury.” He started the game and played 14:31. The 11th-year defenseman played in the first two games of the season but hadn’t played since Oct. 11. Slavin has been a cornerstone of the Hurricanes’ defense during the current streak of seven straight playoff appearances under coach Rod Brind’Amour. He was a standout performer for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off last year and is expected to have a key role for the Americans in the Winter Olympics in February.