ATLANTA — Don't expect any line changes for the Hurricanes tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers. Nor should there be major changes on special teams, coach Paul Maurice said.
In Minnesota's 3-2 win Tuesday over the Canes, the Wild had a power-play goal and a short-handed goal. Carolina also failed to score with a two-minute 5-on-3 advantage and was 0-5 on the power play.
"We had a shooting gallery on the 5-on-3," Maurice said today. "Their goaltender (Niklas Backstrom) was spectacular. ... We had five chances, hard bombs and we put one between his legs and it sat there. It's the 5-on-3 where you pass it around and get two shots that drives me nuts. Just pound it and see what happens.
"I am concerned about the shorthanded goals we're giving up. ... We're too casual with the pucks."
Asked if he had considered using, say, center Matt Cullen more on the power play, Maurice said:
"Not on the back end, no. I think because for me it makes more sense to use a forward on the front half of a power play and not on the back half of it, because you've got four forwards and a D-man on the ice. Which isn't a major concern but I don't care for it.
"The shorties are a concern but overall I've liked our power play."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
