Canes continue to change

Old habits are hard to change. So are old hockey routines. But Canes are doing it.

First, Canes coach Peter Laviolette decided to end the practice of pregame skates. Now, the team has postponed its charter flight to Pittsburgh, set for Wednesday, and will fly in the morning of the game with the Penguins -- something no one associated with the team can remember happening before in a regular-season game.

"We've talked about it in the past, just changing the routine," Laviolette said today. "It's something that has been set in stone. You're on the road so much and we certainly are.

"I really don't think it's that big of a deal as far as what you're going to lose as what you're going to gain: it's time at home, a home-cooked meal with your family when you're away so much.

"We'll wake up and we'll do the same things whether we come to the rink or go to Pittsburgh. We'll be there at the same time for the (team) meal and meetings and guys will be resting (at the hotel) at the same time they always do. Hopefully, they'll sleep the night before, in their own beds, and a home-coooked meal and it will go a little further."

The Canes left last Thursday for Los Angeles and returned Monday after playing the Kings and Anaheim Ducks. After the Penguins game, they play at the New York Islanders, Montreal and St. Louis before coming back.

Laviolette said he discussed changing the Pittsburgh flight with general manager Jim Rutherford on the way back from the West Coast. The Canes do fly in and out of cities on the same day for preseason road games.

"We're trying to cut down on that road time, because it's expensive this month," Laviolette said.