The Canes on Monday recalled goaltender John Muse from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) on an emergency basis.

Goaltender Dan Ellis cut his left leg during Thursday's game against the New Jersey Devils. Ellis has been placed on injured reserve by the Canes.

In another personnel move Monday, the Canes activated defenseman Joe Corvo from injured reserve while placing defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti on injured reserve. Sanguinetti has an upper-body injury.

It's the first NHL recall for Muse, 24, who is in his second full professional season. Muse has a 6-6-0 record and a 3.48 goals-against average in 13 games with Charlotte this season.

Muse was recalled Jan. 12 to Charlotte from the Florida Everblades of the ECHL. He was 9-8-4 with a 3.66 goals-against average in 21 games with the Everblades prior to joining the Checkers.

Muse won two NCAA championships (2008, 2010) during his four-year collegiate career at Boston College.

For the Canes, what could be the final push began Monday with an hour-long practice.

After having Saturday and Sunday off -- a veritable spring break during the shortened NHL season -- the Canes were back at PNC Arena preparing for their Southeast Division game Tuesday with Winnipeg. The Canes trail the Jets, whom they'll face again this week in Winnipeg, by four points.

Canes coach Kirk Muller called it a "huge game" and it seems that way, especially for a team that's winless in its last five games. With 18 games left in the regular season, there's no room for any more slippage, especially at home, where the Canes are 7-8 this season.

"You're pretty much in the playoffs right now," Muller said. "You look at the schedule. We've got Winnipeg twice this week and Toronto. This is the race now. It's right now."

The Canes on Monday recalled center Riley Nash from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).

Nash, 23, was reassigned to Charlotte on March 22, and scored two goals in the Checkers’ 4-2 win at Texas on Saturday.

Nash is in his third full professional season and has three goals, three assists and a plus-2 rating in 16 games with the Hurricanes this season. He ranks tied for second among Charlotte skaters in assists (24) and plus/minus (+14), and fourth in points (37), despite having played in just 51 of the team’s 65 games this season.

Forward Zach Boychuk is back where he started: with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).

Boychuk, claimed by the Canes on waivers from Nashville, cleared waivers Saturday and was reassigned by the Canes to the Checkers.

Boychuk, 23, appeared in Carolina’s opener on Jan. 19 against the Florida Panthers and was then a healthy extra for four games before being placed on waivers and subsequently claimed by Pittsburgh on Jan. 31. He played in seven games for the Pens before being acquired on waivers by the Predators on March 5.

Boychuk had 16 goals and 16 assists for the Checkers during the NHL work stoppage.

The Canes' Eric and Jordan Staal have made a mutual decision: they'll both wear protective visors for the first time in their NHL careers.

The Staal brothers had the visors on Friday for the Canes' practice at Raleigh Center Ice. The decision to use them came after brother Marc Staal of the New York Rangers was hit by a puck in the right eye March 5 in New York.

Marc Staal, who does not use a visor, is sidelined indefinitely but should return this season. He, too, plans to use a visor when he returns.

"It's a decision that's been brewing for a little while," Eric Staal said.

The Canes have reassigned center Riley Nash to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).

Nash, 23, is in his third full professional season and registered three goals, three assists (6 points) and a plus-2 rating in 16 games with the Hurricanes since begin recalled from Charlotte on Feb. 18.

Prior to his recall, he had appeared in 50 games with the Checkers, totaling 11 goals and 24 assists (35 points). He still ranks tied for second among Charlotte skaters in assists (24), fourth in points (35) and third in plus/minus (+11).

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Dan Ellis, injured in the final minute of Thursday's game against New Jersey, likely will be sidelined a week to 10 days, general manager Jim Rutherford said today.

Ellis said he suffered a cut on the left leg just below the kneecap that required 17 stitches. He said he kicked himself with his right leg while trying to make a play and was fortunate in the laceration just missed his MCL and a vein.

Rutherford said with Ellis out, the Canes likely would look to recall goalie John Muse from the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.

The Canes have been without No. 1 goalie Cam Ward, who suffered a sprained left knee March 3 against Florida.

Defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti, who sustained an upper-body injury Thursday, is "day to day," Rutherford said. Rutherford said Sanguinetti, who did not return to the game, reaggravated a previous injury.

RALEIGH -- Kirk Muller was mad. At least, as mad as Muller will show publicly.

After the Canes' 4-1 loss Thursday the New Jersey Devils, Muller had some strong comments about his team.

"I'm not so much concerned about scoring as how we play. I'm disappointed tonight," Muller said. "It's time we don't piggyback off some of the guys who have been playing well all year. We need more effort from some guys. ...

"I think it's unfair for some guys who are pushing every night. I think it's slowly catching up to us. We're not going to accept it. Everyone has to come ready to start pulling their weight here."

It took a while but the Canes have Zach Boychuk back.

The Canes today claimed the forward, a former first-round draft pick, on waivers from the Nashville Predators, bringing him back into the Hurricanes' organization.

It has been some season for Boychuk, 22. He played the season-opener for the Canes, then was a healthy scratch before being placed on waivers Jan. 30. He was claimed by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 31 and played seven games for the Pens, but was acquired March 5 on waivers by the Preds.

Boychuk had one goal and earned one assist in five games with the Predators.

Boychuk began the hockey season with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) and earned 32 points in 37 games. He ranks third in goals and fifth in points among Checkers skaters despite not having played a game with the team since Jan. 11.

Canes forward Tuomo Ruutu will play his first game of the season tonight against the Devils, coach Kirk Muller said after the morning skate at PNC Arena.

Ruutu, who underwent hip surgery in December, will start on the fourth line to "get his feet wet," Muller said.

"He's excited and he's ready to go," Muller said. "I told him, 'When you feel comfortable let me know.'" He felt comfortable enough this morning and said 'I'm ready.'