News & Observer | newsobserver.com | 2008 NCAA Men's Bracket

OTTAWA — Canes coach Paul Maurice didn't want to hear about the litany of problems by the Ottawa Senators, much less talk about them.

He didn't want to hear about the Sens losing their last five games, or how they're 29th in points in the NHL. He didn't want to hear about the rumors of general manager Bryan Murray and coach Craig Hartsburg possibly being fired with the Sens 13-21-6.

Both teams, Maurice said, still believe the playoffs are possible, regardless of the standings.

"I don't think Ottawa has by any means given up hope for the chase," he said today. "We're one of those teams they're chasing.

"At the same time, we have played particularly well for a good stretch of hockey and have lost our last two games. So we're a little uneasy with that and we're going to try and put a real strong effort in here tonight. ...

"Statistics tell you what they want to tell you, but when you've got play the game it's like two guys fighting. I don't think the punch hurts any less. This is going to be a tough game and it's going to be a physical game. Both teams, I think, are going to push hard for this win." 

Maurice said he still wasn't sure if defenseman Tim Gleason would play. Gleason, who has an ankle injury, went through the pregame skate, wants to play against Ottawa and may play, he said, although it could be Thursday when the Canes are back in Raleigh to face Toronto.

Cam Ward will start his ninth straight game in goal for the Canes, while Brian Elliott — an AHL call-up — will get his second start for the Sens. 

Tonight's game could well be the kind where the team scoring first gains a bigger advantage than a one-goal lead, Maurice said.

"When you lose a couple .. that first goal sometimes affects the emotions more than it should in the game," he said. "You score a goal, you feel great about yourself. If you give one up, you say 'Here we go again.'

"We're 6-4 in our last 10 and three of those losses are against Boston. So it's not like we've played poorly in that stretch. ... So things aren't as dire sometimes as you think they are."