The Canes have one game left before the All-Star break and a victory Monday over the Winnipeg Jets would be important in one way: it would ensure a winning record for the month of January.
The Canes are 4-3-2 for the month after a 2-1 overtime loss to the New York Islanders. Carolina has one January game after the break, also against the Isles.
"We just want to build what we have going right now," Muller said Sunday after practice at Raleigh Center Ice. "When you have a big break like we have coming up, it's nice to finish feeling good about yourselves and our game."
The Canes were 4-4-3 in October, then 4-10-1 in November and 5-7-2 in December. A winning month would be a first this season and one of "baby steps" Muller has talked about.
Muller put the Canes through another fast-paced practice Sunday at RCI. Only goalie Cam Ward and forward Jussi Jokinen were off the ice and both will play against the Jets. Injured forward Jerome Samson skated after the team workout.
Ward has not allowed more than two goals in any of his last eight games, going 4-2-2, and has a .952 save percentage over that stretch.
"I feel like in these last few games I've been seeing the puck really well," Ward said Sunday. "When I'm calm and relaxed in the net I'm able to control my rebounds and not over-commit on shots.
"I've also been getting a lot of help from my teammates. We've been playing much better in our own zone and that makes my job a lot easier."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
