The Canes' plan still is to have Cam Ward make his first start in goal against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, coach Paul Maurice said today.
Ward had another productive day of practice today at the RBC Center before the Canes left for their four-game road swing. But Maurice would rather wait one more game before giving his No. 1 goaltender his first real test, so Manny Legace should start Monday in Pittsburgh.
"We're not planning on having him back up in Pittsburgh -- if he's ready to back up, he's ready to play," Maurice said. "It will allow us to get another real good work day in, and then have a recovery day in practice and then be ready for Jersey.
"If we get to Tuesday and he gets through practice and he still doesn't feel right, then we'll just push it back. ... I'm putting him back as soon as he's ready."
The Canes, 0-10-3 on the road this season, plays at Washington and Ottawa after the Devils game.
Ward suffered a deep laceration of the left leg in the Nov. 7 game at Columbus that required surgery, and has missed the last 12 games. The Canes originally had hoped he could return for Saturday's game against Vancouver.
Ray Whitney, Chad LaRose and Niclas Wallin sat out practice today and Maurice said he is not sure if Wallin will be available for the Pens game. Defenseman Jay Harrison was recalled today from Albany (AHL) and Bryan Rodney reassigned, but Rodney could be quickly recalled if Wallin can't play.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Legace
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 01:01 — Hockeydogseems to have the coaching staff's trust right now. At this point in this horrible season there is no need to play Cam to death, since he's also had some back issues, so who do you want to see in goal more?
Who to choose?
Mon, 12/07/2009 - 00:08 — procellaeI would hate to be the coaching staff right now.
Canes Country has a fantastic article on the Legace vs. Leighton situation: http://www.canescountry.com/2009/12/6/1188397/manny-legace-or-michael-leighton
Personally, I would chose Legace. I think that either goalie will be picked up off waivers, so I'm choosing the goalie that we want to keep. Legace is a veteran goaltender and a very competent back-up. The coaching staff clearly has more confidence in him than Leighton. They will feel more confident playing Legace to help ease Cam back in. Thinking ahead to the future when Legace will be going, we will probably have Murphy or Peters for the back-up job, so there is no need for Leighton in the future.
So that means
Sun, 12/06/2009 - 16:12 — esteban1949either A: that will or might be manny's last game as a hurricane, B: Legace or Leighton will be put on waivers , or C: Leighton or Legace's contracts will be bought out...OBTW...How about those River Rats ?? they have a winning streak going you know...
So Chip, which will it be ?? Any clues or hints ?? Go Canes !!