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Monday debate: .500 by Christmas

chipalexander — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500

During the Canes' long winless streak, general manager Jim Rutherford said a goal for the team would be to get back to .500 by Christmas time. That would be the first step, and a big one, toward getting back in position to contend for the playoffs.

At 5-12-5 after the win over Tampa Bay, and with 15 games before Christmas, Carolina would have to go 11-4-0 -- or 10-3-2, 9-2-4, etc. -- to reach .500.

So what do you think? Can the Canes do it? Why or why not?

The floor is open.

Hurricanes 3, Lightning 1

chipalexander — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:38:22 -0500

For once, or rather twice, the Carolina Hurricanes have won in regulation.

With a 3-1 regulation win over the Tampa Bay Lightning at the RBC Center Saturday, the Hurricanes won only their second game in regulation of the season.

The Hurricanes, who had picked up points in the last four games, with three of those games going to a shootout and the other an overtime loss, might have gone there again if not for forward Chad LaRose. ...

LaRose scored his first goal of the season and gave his team a little breathing room and a 3-1 lead over the Lightning at 15:37 in the third period.

Hurricanes forward Sergei Samsonov stole the puck in the middle of the ice. He and LaRose bursted down the ice and Samsonov, at center, passed right to LaRose, who fired past Mike Smith.

It was a milestone for Samsonov, who now has 300 career assists. ...

Carolina Hurricanes forward Chad LaRose scored his first goal of the season and gave his team a little breathing room and a 3-1 lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning at 15:37 in the third period.

Hurricanes forward Sergei Samsonov stole the puck in the middle of the ice. He and LaRose bursted down the ice and Samsonov, at center, passed right to LaRose, who fired past Mike Smith.

It was a milestone for Samsonov, who now has 300 career assists. ...

The Carolina Hurricanes lead the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 after two periods of play, with goals from Tuomo Ruutu and Jussi Jokinen.

After missing several scoring chances in the first period, the Hurricanes scored a power play goal early in the second period on a power play on Ruutu.

Hurricanes defenseman Andrew Alberts saved a goal, scooping out a slow-moving puck that Lightning center Jeff Halpern had gotten through goalie Manny Legace.

The Hurricanes out-shot the Lightning 10-5 in the period and lead 20-14 in that category after two periods. The Lightning, however, will start the third period with 25 seconds left in a power play from Erik Cole's interference penalty. ...

Forward Jussi Jokinen has given the Carolina Hurricanes their first lead of the night.

Jokinen deflected a shot from defender Joe Corvo on the right wing past Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith at 13:46 in the second period for a 2-1 score.

Chad LaRose also earned an assist, passing the puck to Corvo. ...

Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu has scored a power play goal to tie the Tampa Bay Lightning 1-1 at 2:35 in the second period.

Tampa Bay nearly cleared the puck out of the zone, but defenseman Joni Pitkanen grabbed the puck out of the air and passed to Ray Whitney on the left wing. His pass into the slot was one-timed by Ruutu, giving the Hurricanes success on their first power play opportunity of the night.

The Hurricanes entered the contest at 25th place in the league on power plays, with a 14.7 percent success rate. Ruutu's goal brings that percentage up to 15.6. ...

The Carolina Hurricanes had plenty of scoring chances in the first period, but Tampa Bay leads 1-0 after 20 minutes at the RBC Center Saturday.

To name just a few of those opportunities, Hurricanes forward Ray Whitney couldn't get to the puck in time, with it trickling forward and Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith laid out in front of the net just at about the mid-point of the period.

Then Hurricanes defenseman Joni Pitkanen got a shot to trickle slowly through Smith, but Lightning defender Andre Meszaros was there to save the goal.

With just under six minutes left, Whitney and Hurricanes Erik Cole threatened to score as they skated side-by-side up the slot. Whitney passed to Cole, who passed right back. But Whitney's shot found Smith's pads.

Less than a minute after Carolina winger Tom Kostopoulos drew a tripping penalty, Tampa Bay forward Martin St. Louis put the rebound of a shot by defenseman Kurtis Foster past Carolina goalie Manny Legace. The Lightning were 1-of-2 on power play chances in the period, while not committing a penalty. The Hurricanes out-shot their opponents 10-9. ...

In the pregame lines, Rod Brind'Amour is centering Pat Dwyer and Tom Kostopoulos. ... Joni Pitkanen paired with Niclas Wallin on defense. ...

Canes coach Paul Maurice said goaltender Michael Leighton is recovering quickly from a groin injury suffered Tuesday in Montreal and will travel to Dallas and Anaheim. ...

Staal back on ice with Canes

chipalexander — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:43:42 -0500

No. 12 is back. At least, back on the ice with the Canes.

Eric Staal took part in today's morning skate at the RBC Center but is not fully ready to rejoin the lineup. Canes coach Paul Maurice said today the center should return in the next 10 days but that Staal would make the trip to Dallas and Anaheim next week.

"It's been tough, no question," Staal said. "It's been a learning experience for me because I've never been through something like this before.

"I'm working and doing everything I can to make sure I'm back in the lineup as soon as I can at 100 percent."

Staal had missed one game, late in his rookie season, and had played 349 consecutive regular-season games -- and 43 in the playoffs -- before being sidelined.

"I've pushed it for a while," Staal said of playing with ailments, keeping the streak going. "There's probably a few games last year, the year before that."

Staal's physical problems this year began with a groin injury during Team Canada's Olympic camp before the Canes' preseason training camp. That injury lingered, but a more serious physical concern -- an injury in the abdominal area -- developed.

There would be no fighting through that kind of pain or ailment. Staal left the San Jose game on Nov. 1 and has been sidelined the last eight games.

"It nagged me a couple of games, then got worse and worse," he said. "Then, that San Jose game, it just tore. I was done after that.

"But I've recovered. I feel good now. I feel strong."

Staal has done some skating on his own in the last week. But it's different skating with his teammates as he did in Saturday's morning skate.

Brandon Sutter continued to center Staal's line, with Staal taking the wing a few times with Sutter.

"It felt good," a smiling Staal said. "We'll see how it responds tomorrow. I took a lot of shots (Friday) and again today. It's getting better and better every day and that's a good sign.

"I'm hopeful for next week some time, barring anything that will set me back."

Pitkanen to return; Rodney to Albany

chipalexander — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:06:22 -0500

Defenseman Joni Pitkanen will return for Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, coach Paul Maurice said today.

Pitkanen has been out with a lower-body injury. Defenseman Bryan Rodney has been reassigned to the Albany River Rats (AHL), Maurice said.

The Canes had a limited practice today, with just five skaters and goaltenders Manny Legace and Justin Peters.

For Canes, a significant shootout win

chipalexander — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:09:12 -0500

The Canes' 6-5 comeback win over the Maple Leafs last night was significant on several fronts:

-- Carolina has six points in the last four games and has moved out of last place in the NHL. That's the first step the Canes had to make, and the conference standings posted in their locker room will reflect it.

-- The Canes were 0-4-4 when trailing after the first period and 0-7-3 when trailing after two, so they've ended that and proven they can come from behind and win a game.

-- Stephane Yelle had more ice time (10:14) than Rod Brind'Amour (10:09), took over as third-line center during the game and scored his first goal of the season. It was a season-low ice time for Brind'Amour, who had just two shifts in the third period.

-- Brandon Sutter now has points in his last four games (2g, 4a) and has shown he can handle 20-plus minutes a game. He had a season-high 23:16 against the Leafs and has topped 20 minutes in the last four games.

-- The Canes had a season-high 45 shots on goal but also 86 total shots. And, of course, five goals.

-- Tim Gleason had seven goals in 332 games before this season. The defenseman has four in 16 games this season after his two-goal night against the Leafs, a career first.

-- Joe Corvo overcame an early turnover that led to the Leafs' first goal to play 33:21. That's iron-man stuff and was a season high for the defenseman, who finished plus-1 for the game.

-- Manny Legace now has stopped seven of eight shooters in a pair of shootouts and appears very relaxed during them.

-- Tuomo Ruutu has three goals and five assists in his last five games after a career-high four assists against the Leafs.

-- Bitterly disappointed by not scoring in the shootout at Montreal on Tuesday, Jussi Jokinen scored with authority against the Leafs and now has 26 shootout goals in his career.

Hurricanes 6, Leafs 5 (SO)

chipalexander — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:13:16 -0500

Goals by Tuomo Ruutu and Jussi Jokinen lifted the Canes to a 6-5 victory in a shootout — the Canes' third consecutive game decided in a shootout.

Erik Cole scored with 2.9 seconds left in the third period to tie the score 5-5 after the Canes pulled goalie Manny Legace for a sixth attacker.

Tim Gleason scored twice in the third — the defenseman's first two-goal game of his career -- as the Canes tied the score 4-4. Ian White's goal with 29.9 seconds left in the htthird pushed the Leafs ahead 5-4, but Cole scored on a rebound to tie it.

The Canes, trailing 3-0 after the first period, fought their way back into the game with second-period goals from Stephane Yelle and Matt Cullen to trail 3-2 after two.

Yelle picked up his first goal of the season with 3:13 left in the second, diving to knock a loose puck past goaltender Jonas Gustavsson. Cullen nearly scored with 2:37 left, the puck eluding Gustavsson but not crossing the goal line. But the Canes kept the puck deep in the zone and Cullen scored with 2:30 remaining off a Tuomo Ruutu centering pass.

Goals by Matt Stajan, Lee Stempniak and Mikhail Grabovski have given the Leafs a 3-0 lead after the first period.

The Leafs, who have lost their last four, needed just 61 seconds to grab a 1-0 lead. Stajan scored on a top-shelf shot past Manny Legace after Alexei Ponikarovsky knocked the puck away from Joe Corvo in front of the Canes goal.

The Leafs had given up the first goal in 17 of 19 games. Now it's 17 of 20.

Stempniak made it 2-0 at 14:21 on Stempniak's blistering shot from the circle.

The Canes' Andrew Alberts hit the post with the Leafs leading 1-0. Leafs goaltender Jonas Gustavsson took care of the rest.

Canes' roster takes on new, younger look

chipalexander — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:49:53 -0500

The Hurricanes now have four players on their roster who began the season with the Albany River Rats of the AHL.

Center Brandon Sutter and defenseman Bryan Rodney were the first to arrive. Injuries to goaltender Michael Leighton and forward Scott Walker now will have goalie Justin Peters and forward Pat Dwyer on the roster tonight for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Dwyer was called up today from the Rats, and center Eric Staal placed on injured reserve.

"We've had some things to maneuver," Canes coach Paul Maurice said today. "But we've had some success bringing in some kids to play. Bryan Rodney has come in and played very, very well. Paddy Dwyer can skate and he's playing very well in the American League."

Sutter has five goals and three assists since being called up Oct. 24 and arguably has been the Canes' best player.

"What we're seeing now is his speed that maybe we didn't even anticipate at this age," Maurice said. "This kid is skating. When you have the head that's there and the hands that are there, we're very, very excited about where he's at right now and what he means for the future of this franchise.

"If he can step in and continue to play just as he is now, our 1-2 punch with Staal and Sutter will look pretty dependable."

The Canes have yet to play Washington Capitals or Atlanta Thrashers, two division teams, but already have played the Minnesota Wild twice.

After tonight, the Canes will have played the Leafs twice. Go figure. NHL scheduling never has been a well-defined science.

On Nov. 6, the Canes hosted the Maple Leafs and lost 3-2, falling to last in the NHL. The Canes are 1-2-2 since that game -- a sign of some progress -- while the Leafs are 1-4-0 with four consecutive losses. Both teams have three wins and 11 points.

"We've liked our process for a couple of weeks," Maurice said. "We had a first period against (the LA Kings) but other than that, the fight's been pretty good. The battle's been there.

"I thinking they're starting to realize the difference between when we're going and when we're not going, and they're saying the right things on the bench to get us going. It has not been an easy time around here, by any means, but the process has improved ...and we'll hang our hat on that."

Canes hoping for Dec. 5 return by Ward

chipalexander — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:09:20 -0500

The Hurricanes have set a target date for goaltender Cam Ward's return -- Dec. 5, against the Vancouver Canucks at the RBC Center.

"We're hopeful of that," general manager Jim Rutherford said Wednesday. "That would be the earliest. It may be longer."

Ward, who suffered a leg laceration Nov. 7 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, has been placed on long-term injured reserve. Rutherford said that would give the team some flexibility with salary-cap concerns.

"We have a little cushion if we need it," he said.

Rutherford said a decision would be made Thursday on bringing up a forward from Albany (AHL). He said it probably would be either Jerome Samson or Patrick Dwyer.

Defenseman Joni Pitkanen and forward Scott Walker both missed Tuesday's game in Montreal with injuries. Their return is uncertain.

Peters recalled from Albany

chipalexander — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:25:05 -0500

The Hurricanes have called up goaltender Justin Peters from the Albany River Rats (AHL) and reassigned forward/defenseman Tim Conboy to the River Rats.

Peters' recall comes after a lower-body injury to goaltender Michael Leighton in the second period of the Canes' 3-2 shootout loss Tuesday in Montreal.Manny Legace replaced Leighton with the Canes leading 2-1.

Goaltender Cam Ward still is healing from a leg laceration suffered Nov. 7 at Columbus and may not be available for another couple of weeks.

Peters, 23, is 6-5-2 in Albany this season with a 2.43 goals-against average and .913 save percentage.

Canadiens 3, Canes 2 (SO)

chipalexander — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:53:18 -0500

MONTREAL -- Maxim Lapierre's goal in the sixth round of a shootout gives the Montreal Canadiens a 3-2 victory Tuesday at the Bell Centre.

Canadiens goalie Carey Price made great shootout saves on Bryan Rodney in the fifth round and Matt Cullen in the sixth to finish it off. The Habs (10-11-0) have won eight times in overtime or a shootout this season.

A high-sticking penalty on the Canadiens' Jaroslav Spacek at 3:01 of overtime -- Spacek hitting and cutting defenseman Joe Corvo -- put the Canes (3-12-5) on the power play. Carolina fired away at Price, time and again, from the outside and in tight, but Price made every stop to take it to a shootout.

A goal by the Canadiens' Andrei Kostitsyn with 2:46 left in the third period tied the score 2-2 just when it appeared the Canes would grind out a gutsy win in regulation. Kostitsyn circled behind the goal and beat goaltender Manny Legace with a backhander.

Earlier...

Brandon Sutter and Jussi Jokinen have notched second-period goals as the Canes have taken a 2-1 lead after the second, but goaltender Michael Leighton has left the game with an apparent injury.

Sutter, thriving on the top line, scored his fifth goal of the season for a 1-1 tie early in the second period. Sutter beat goaltender Carey Price on a give-and-go with Whitney off the rush at 3:28 of the second.

After sitting out a penalty, Matt Cullen set up Jokinen for a one-timer on the right wing at 6:20. Both Sutter and Jokinen scored in the 5-4 shootout win over Minnesota on Sunday.

Leighton left the game with a lower-body injury after making a lunging save on a Jaroslav Spacek shot with 12:48 left in the second. Manny Legace has taken over.

It took the Canadiens 5:41 in the first to get their first shot on goal. Max Pacioretty also put it past Michael Leighton for a 1-0 lead.

Pacioretty was to Leighton's left and Leighton shaded him to the shortside post, only to have Pacioretty sling the puck off the tip of his stick to the far side. It was Pacioretty's second goal of the season.

Each team had a first-period power play but didn't get a good scoring chance. The Canes' Chad LaRose had a good shorthanded chance but Habs goalie Carey Price made the stop with a sweep of the glove.

Price also made a nice save on an Erik Cole shot from the slot midway the period.

Can good vibes of trip help Canes win on road?

chipalexander — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:48:49 -0500

Canes players, coaches, and staff pose with their dads and family members
on the ice at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Tuesday morning. CHIP ALEXANDER - chip.alexander@newsobserver.com

MONTREAL -- The Hurricanes don't have Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Scott Walker and Joni Pitkanen with them for tonight's game against the Canadiens.

But a lot of the players brought their fathers along. It's the team's annual "Fathers Trip," which means rooming together, putting up with each other's snoring and having a lot of laughs.

"It's like old times. It was like pee-wee hockey days all over again," Canes forward Matt Cullen said. "A lot of fun."

Some of the fathers were at the RBC Center on Sunday when the Hurricanes ended their 14-game winless streak with the 5-4 shootout victory over the Minnesota Wild. Others joined the team in Montreal.

Tom Kostopoulos noted his dad lives outside Toronto and made the five-hour drive. Others were on the team charter and a good time had by all.

Will all the good positive vibes of the Minnesota victory and having the dads along add up to a road victory tonight? The Habs have lost three of their last four games and were shut out 2-0 at Nashville on Saturday, allowing a season-high 55 shots on goal.

Carolina is 7-0-1 at the Bell Centre since the start of the 2005-06 season and has not lost in regulation in the arena since Dec. 6, 2003.

"December of '03, that was a tough month for the coach," the Canes' Paul Maurice said, flashing a wry smile. "That was the start of a road trip before I became available to coach any other team."

But Maurice and the Canes come in to the Bell Centre off a victory, albeit one where they squandered a 4-1 lead and lost Pitkanen and Walker to injuries.

"We won. We're on a roll, boys," Maurice told the Montreal media. "We just want to keep it going. You win a game like that, you just take all the good that you can with it to the next game."

The Canes' next goal: winning one on the road after starting 0-7-2 away from the RBC Center.

"It starts with one. Hopefully we can build off that win," forward Jussi Jokinen said. "I hope we can carry that confidence from that into the first period today.

"If we want to make a run we have to win both at home and on the road. This would be a great place to start. Obviously Montreal hasn't had the kind of start they wanted either. Their confidence is not too high, either, so we need to come strong in the first period."

Kostopoulos hoping for more Bell Centre fun

chipalexander — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:10:06 -0500

MONTREAL -- For two seasons, Canes forward Tom Kostopoulos was a part of the hockey experience that is playing for the Montreal Canadiens.

"It will be fun," he said of tonight's game with the Habs at the Bell Centre. "The atmosphere here with these fans, the fun feeling, makes it a great place to play."

Coming to North Carolina and the Hurricanes this season has been another type of experience. Southern living, Southern hospitality. There's also the matter of picking a local college team to root for — Kostopoulos says he's leaning toward N.C. State.

"The guys are already roping me in," he said with a smile. "The first thing when I got down there everyone said was, 'You've got to pick your college colors.' So, N.C. State Wolfpack for now."

In Montreal, it's all about Habs hockey and the Bell Centre a focal point for the city. Kostospoulos noted that about 20 of the Canes list the Bell Centre as their favorite place to play in their bios, and said there was one indelible moment for him in the arena.

"The atmosphere two years ago, Game 7 against Boston in the playoffs," he said. "The city was electric. I remember the game, I remember the feeling of winning, I remember the riot after the game.

"It was a lot of fun to be a part of. I really thought we had a chance to compete for the Cup and it's too bad we lost to (Philadelphia) the next round. But it was pretty cool to be a part of."

Kostopoulos signed with the Hurricanes hoping to be a part of another Cup contender. The last thing he expected was to be back in the Bell Centre in November answering questions about the relief of ending a 14-game winless streak.

"It seems like we would play good for 45 minutes of a game and there were 15 minutes where we got rolled over by the other team," he said of the streak. "We couldn't keep our feet on the ground.

"We realize we're a team that has to play 60 minutes. We have to play a complete game to win. Wins are so hard to come by in this league that we have to do it every night. It was a tough stretch but hopefully it's done with."

The Canes hope to have injured center Eric Staal back next week, and soon have goaltender Cam Ward rejoin the team when his leg laceration fully heals.

"I don't know if there's a better goalie than Cam Ward in the league, and Eric Staal is one of the best forwards," Kostopoulos said. "So losing both those two guys is real tough on a team.

"But I think one of our strengths is our depth. Everyone has been working hard and hopefully we can get going here."

Kostopoulos played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and LA Kings before coming to Montreal as a free agent in 2007 and becoming one of the team's most popular players. This season, he has been used on the fourth line and as a penalty killer for the Canes -- his only goal was shorthanded -- and has averaged 9:21 in ice time.

"His minutes aren't where they will be," Canes coach Paul Maurice said today. "But the fact of the matter is when you're chasing from behind on most nights, in the third period his ice time has been down.

"We have players who have scored somewhere between 20 and 30 (goals a season) that you just keep putting out on the ice. But he has been very, very consistent. ... I've never cut him back because of his own personal performance. If his minutes fell off, it was because we're down one or down two."

Maurice: Staal may return next week

chipalexander — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:29:46 -0500

Canes coach Paul Maurice said today that center Eric Staal may be able to return to the lineup next week.

Staal has missed the last six games with an upper-body injury. He had played 349 consecutive regular-season games, the second-longest active streak in the NHL, before missing the Florida game on Nov. 4.

"We really want to make sure we don't put him back in and this thing get reaggravated," Maurice said. "We can't go through this again. We need him to come back and play and play his big minutes."

A day after their first win in more than a month, the Canes were missing several players for today's practice at the RBC Center. Defenseman Joni Pitkanen and forward Scott Walker, both injured in the 5-4 shootout win over Minnesota, were not at practice and will not make the trip to Montreal for Tuesday's game, Maurice said.

Stephane Yelle, injured late in the game blocking a shot, was back at practice. Defenseman Aaron Ward, who missed the Wild game, is expected to return.

Maurice said Michael Leighton, who started and was the winner against the Wild, will start against the Habs. Manny Legace, signed by the Canes last Monday, started two games before Leighton got his shot Sunday.

"Both guys are nursing little things," Maurice said. "We expect Mike to be able to play."

What does a win do for a team after 14 games without one?

"We've been dealing with a horrible set of circumstances and a
cloud that has been over us," Maurice said. "We've said for two weeks
we weren't looking for style points, we just need to get a win and find
a way to do it. ...

"It should lift the spirits a little bit. Now we can focus on tomorrow and leave that behind us."

The streak, that is. What the Canes want now is their first road win of the season.

Monday debate: Leighton or Legace?

chipalexander — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500

Let's keep this one simple.

Since goaltender Cam Ward was injured, Manny Legace has started two games and Michael Leighton started Sunday as the Canes ended their winless streak with a 5-4 shootout victory over Minnesota. Ward may be out another two weeks.

Question: who should get the most work until Ward returns, Leighton or Legace?

The floor is open.

Canes 5, Wild 4 (SO)

chipalexander — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:14:28 -0500

The streak is over.

Jussi Jokinen scored the only goal in a shoot to give the Canes a 5-4 win and end a 14 game winless streak.

The Canes have lost the lead early in the third.

Defenseman Joe Corvo tried to reverse the puck behind the Canes net, but the puck hit the side of the net and kicked out into the slot. Robbie Earl slapped in his second goal of the game -- and the first two of his career -- for the 4-4 tie at 2:21 of the third.

The Canes led 4-3 going into the third but had lost Joini Pitkanen and Scott Walker to injuries.

The Canes can't stand prosperity. Leading 4-1 in the second, they allowed two goals in 20 seconds.

Robert Earl and John Scott each earned their first NHL goals for the Wild. Earl scored at 13:46 and Scott at 14:06.

Ray Whitney and Brandon Sutter scored power-play goals in the second as the Canes grabbed the 4-1 lead.

Whitney's sixth goal pushed the Canes ahead 3-0 early in the period. After Antti Miettinen scored on a deflection at 8:43 of the second, Sutter answered at 10:08.

Goals by Jussi Jokinen and Joe Corvo gave the Canes a 2-0 lead after the first.

Matt Cullen won a faceoff in Wild zone, getting puck to Tuomo Ruutu. With Niklas Backstrom playing Ruutu, Jokinen was open to Backstrom's right and scored off the rebound for his fourth goal and first in 11 games.

Corvo's third goal came on a shot from the point on the power play with 2:11 left in the period. Corvo scored after a point-to-point pass from Bryan Rodney.

Defenseman Aaron Ward is out with a lower-body injury. The defensive pairs: Corvo-Gleason, Wallin-Pitkanen, Rodney-Alberts.

Stephane Yelle back and centering fourth line with Scott Walker and Tom Kostopoulos. ...

The Wild is playing the fourth of four straight road games. Minnesota beat Toronto, lost to Tampa Bay in a shootout and then lost 3-1 to Washington on Friday. ... Josh Harding was in net for the Caps game. ...

Leighton to start as Canes try to end streak

chipalexander — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:55:11 -0500

The Canes will try to end their 14-game winless streak Sunday against the Minnesota Wild and will do it with Michael Leighton in goal.

Canes coach Paul Maurice said today that Leighton will get his second start of the season. Manny Legace, signed Monday to a one-year contract, has started his first two games with the Canes (2-12-4).

Ray Whitney, Chad LaRose and Aaron Ward did not practice today and there is no word on their availability for the Wild game. Stephane Yelle, who missed the Islanders game Friday with a lower-body injury, returned to practice today.

Maurice said he was pleased with the Canes' physicality — Tuomo Ruutu had nine hits and Erik Cole eight -- especially after falling behind the Isles 3-0. The Hurricanes rallied for a 3-3 tie before losing 4-3 in the final seconds of overtime.

"We had some battling going on, Ruutu leading it," he said. "We had guys who were grinding and fighting."

Legace has allowed eight goals on 55 shots since joining the Canes from the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. Leighton will be making his fourth appearance of the season.

Leighton's only start was Oct. 31 against the Philadelphia Flyers, a day after his wife gave birth to a daughter. The Flyers won 6-1 -- the second of seven consecutive losses in regulation by the Canes, who earned their first point Friday since the Oct. 24 overtime loss at Minnesota.

"You think too many things when you're in a losing streak like this," said Ruutu, who has three goals in the last two games. "When you don't have that confidence, you start doing things and thinking too many things.

"It's not about systems right now. It's not about that you may be skating in the wrong direction. Sometimes it is, but that's not the main reason. We've just got to keep our feet going all the time, skate and play harder."

Islanders 4, Canes 3 (OT)

chipalexander — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:25:56 -0500

Kyle Okposo's goal with 14.4 seconds left in overtime gave the Islanders a 4-3 victory and extended the Hurricanes' winless streak to 14 games, tying the franchise recdord.

Tim Gleason's goal with 2:31 left in the third tied it 3-3 for the Canes and forced OT. Gleason scored on a shot from the point.

Tuomo Ruutu and Ray Whitney scored goals as the Canes rallied in the second period. Ruutu's third goal in two games came on the power play as the Canes ended an 0-for-24 streak over seven games.

Canes trailed the Islanders 3-0 after the first period and managed three shots on goal. Rookie John Tavares scored twice for
the Isles in the period.

But Ruutu scored on the power play to make it 2-1 with 11:08 left in the second. Whitney then tipped in a shot with 8:43 left to make it 3-2.

Late in the period, Erik Cole was hit in the left cheek by Blake Comeau's stick and bloodied. There was no whistle at the time, but during the next stoppage of play, with 34.7 seconds left in the period, a four-minute high-sticking penalty was called.

The Canes opened the third with 3:26 in power-play time but the Isles killed it off.

Early in the first, Canes defenseman Tim Gleason compounded a roughing penalty with another for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Islanders, 2-16 on the power play the last five games, then scored twice.

The first goal came after Kyle Okposo's shot sailed over the goal. The puck caromed hard off the back glass and then back over the goal, where Tavares batted it past Manny Legace.

Then, just as it appeared the Canes would kill off the second Gleason penalty, Mark Streit scores on a shot from the point with four seconds left in the power play.

The Canes killed off an Aaron Ward penalty late in the first, but the Islanders scored after it when Tavares popped in the puck over a fallen Nic Wallin.

Can Legace help reduce 'weight' on Canes?

chipalexander — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:14:30 -0500

Manny Legace says he doesn't talk on game days. That's OK. Call it an old goaltender thing.

But Legace will be in goal again tonight for the Islanders, starting his second game since signing with the Canes on Monday. And Canes coach Paul Maurice said it's good to have a new face, a new personality in the locker room.

"I think it's important," Maurice said today. "Somebody comes in and focuses on their own game and doesn't feel responsible for what's happened here and carry that same weight.

"Different expectations. I think especially at that position, a guy who's excited about being in the net and not waiting for something bad to happen. ... He has so many good things that can happen to him on a good game -- change where he's at and change his future.

"He doesn't feel the burden of the hole that we're in."

The "hole" is last place in the NHL, four points behind the Maple Leafs. The Canes (2-12-3) have lost the last seven games in regulation after the 5-2 loss Wednesday to the LA Kings.

Maurice said mental side would be the important component tonight for the Canes against the Isles (6-6-6).

"We haven't had a lot of games where we played as poorly in the first as we did the other night, so it's all mental preparation," he said.

Hoping, believing the streak will end

chipalexander — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:43:54 -0500

Is this the night? Does the Canes' winless streak end at 13?

"I hope so, yes," center Brandon Sutter said. "I think we're getting closer and closer. It seems like we've been kind of putting it off, and we can't lose any more games here."

But Tuomo Ruutu was more definitive about the game with the Islanders.

"Tonight is the night. I've really got to believe it," he said, sitting in his locker after the morning skate. "Yeah, it's tonight. I feel it.

"I'm sure you guys (media) are tired of coming in here and seeing us unhappy. You'd probably like to see us upbeat and I'd like to see us upbeat, you know."

But as Ruutu noted, again, saying it and doing it are two different things. It has to happen on the ice come game time.

Canes coach Paul Maurice has shuffled the lines with Scott Walker and Stephane Yelle out of tonight's game, putting Sutter on a line with Ray Whitney and Erik Cole -- a statement both about Sutter's play and the state of the Canes.

Ruutu, who scored twice Wednesday in the 5-2 loss to the LA Kings, will be on Matt Cullen's line with Jussi Jokinen, with Rod Brind'Amour centering Sergei Samsonov and Chad LaRose. Tim Conboy, who was placed on waivers Thursday, was at practice today.

"When you've lost that many games you have to try something new," Ruutu said. "But I don't think that's going to be the answer for tonight. The answer is going to be how hard we work.

"I keep saying this all over again but now I really mean it because we haven't been working hard enough."

Sutter has three goals in eight games since being called up from Albany (AHL), and had a season-high 17:31 in ice time against the Kings. He said he was pumped about being bumped up to the line with Whitney and Cole.

"Obviously it's exciting for me," Sutter said today. "Just being here playing with anyone's great. I was playing with Rosy (LaRose) and Roddy (Brind'Amour) the last few games and thought that was going pretty well. Obviously we're looking to kind of shake things up a little bit.

"Obviously to be with two guys like (Cole and Whitney) is an honor and I'm excited for it."

Sutter, like many of the Canes, said he has never experienced anything in hockey like the 13-game winless streak, which is one game off the franchise record set in 1992. Then again, he's only 20.

"I've been through a few losing streaks, obviously, but nothing like this," he said.

Conboy placed on waivers

chipalexander — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:07:33 -0500

The Hurricanes have placed forward Tim Conboy on waivers.

Conboy has played in 10 games, averaging 4:14 of ice time, with no goals and no assists.

Placing Conboy on waivers allows the Canes to call up a player this weekend, if need be, general manager Jim Rutherford said.

Canes coach Paul Maurice said today he is not sure about the availability of forwards Scott Walker and Stephane Yelle for Friday's game against the New York Islanders. Both were injured Wednesday in the 5-2 loss to the LA Kings.

"Both guys are possible but they have to do some improvement in healing," he said. "we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see."

Ray Whitney missed practice today but is expected to play, Maurice said. The same for defenseman Tim Gleason.

Defenseman Joni Pitkanen, who missed the Kings game with a cold, returned to practice today at the RecZone.

Kings 5, Canes 2

chipalexander — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:47:18 -0500

It's now 13 in a row.

The Carolina Hurricanes simply cannot win a game, even after rallying from a two-goal deficit to tie the score and seemingly wrestle away the game's momentum.

After Tuomo Ruut's second goal tied the L.A. Kings 2-2 in the third period Wednesday, the Kings got a power-play goal from Randy Jones and an even-strength goal from Wayne Simmonds to take control again.

Former Hurricanes forward Justin Williams finished off a 5-2 victory with an empty-netter. Williams also assisted on Jones' winning goal at 6:41 of the third, pushing the Canes' winless streak to 13 games.

Backup goaltender Erik Ersberg had 22 saves in posting his first victory since December 2008. Manny Legace made his first start for the Canes and had 26 saves.

Jarret Stoll's goal at 2:01 of the second pushed the Kings ahead 2-0. But the Canes rallied as Ruutu scored at 15:25 on a wicked shot from the right wing to make it 2-1.

Rod Brind'Amour assisted on Ruutu's goal, tying him with Kevin Dineen for second on the franchise career list with 294 assists.

Ruutu scored again at 4:03 of the third, off a Ray Whitney assist, to tie it 2-2. But the Canes' Scott Walker was called for roughing at 4:55 and Jones scored with 14 seconds left on the penalty.

The Canes had a chance at a shorthanded score on the Walker penalty, but Matt Cullen couldn't get enough stick on a Chad LaRose pass.

Stoll beat Aaron Ward out of the corner and to the front of the net and beat goalie Manny Legace for his fifth goal of the season after a shot from the point by Randy Jones.

Ryan Smyth's power-play goal gave the Kings a 1-0 lead at 3:31 of the first.

Smyth scored seven seconds after a boarding call against the Canes' Matt Cullen.

Manny Legace, in his first start, made a sparking glove save three minutes into the game on a Peter Harrold shot.

The Canes earned some cheers by killing off 1:50 of a Kings' 5-on-3 in the first after a tripping call against Bryan Rodney and delay of game against Joe Corvo. Stephane Yelle and Aaron Ward blocked shots and Legace made a pad save on a Smyth shot.

The Kings outshot the Canes 13-2 in the first period, but the Canes had an 11-7 edge in the second.

Canes move up in value

chipalexander — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:37:18 -0500

The Hurricanes are moving up in the rankings. The financial rankings, that is.

Carolina is No. 21 in the annual Forbes NHL Team Evaluations for 2008-2009, up from No. 22 last season.

Forbes reported that the Hurricanes have a Team Value of $177 million, an increase of $9 million from a year ago. The Canes moved past Edmonton and Buffalo in the rankings but fell behind the Washington Capitals.

Forbes said the Canes had $82 million in net arena revenue used for debt payments. It said the team had $32 million in gate receipts, including club seats.

Canes call up Rodney

chipalexander — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:18:57 -0500

The Canes have called up defenseman Bryan Rodney from Albany (AHL) and placed Cam Ward on injured reserve to clear a roster spot. Joni Pitkanen (illness) will not play tonight against the Kings.

Rodney, 25, has one goal and four assists in 14 games for the River Rats this season. He had two assists in eight games with the Hurricanes last season as a callup from Albany.

Kings' Williams has added motivation

chipalexander — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:23:11 -0500

Justin Williams was injured. And then hurt.

As the March trading deadline approached last season, the forward was recovering from a broken hand. He hoped to soon to jump back into the Carolina Hurricanes' lineup and help in the push to make the playoffs.

And then he was traded. In a complex three-team deal, Williams wound up with the LA Kings as Erik Cole returned to the Canes from Edmonton.

"My emotions were obviously just that I was caught off-guard," Williams said today. "Obviously upset, because I had the best years of my career here and reached the top with this team and this city.

"There were a lot of emotions going through my head. There was anger. There was the excitement of going to a new team. A lot of emotions. And knowing at that time that you're going to have to move across country and start fresh.

"But I think things happen for a reason and there's a reason I'm in L.A. We have an awesome team, a young team, with the ability to do something special. I'm glad to be a part of that."

Williams, 28, missed a big chunk of the Canes' 2007-2008 season with a torn ACL. He then tore an Achilles tendon before training camp last season and was out the first 25 games. He returned to the lineup, then suffered the broken hand Feb. 15.

"The last two years I'd like to basically throw 'em back and forget all about them," he said.

Cole, who was traded to Edmonton for Joni Pitkanen after the 2008 season, returned to the RBC Center early last season with the Oilers and seemed out of sorts. His emotions were running high.

And Williams, in tonight's game against the Canes at the RBC Center?

"It's going to be almost exactly the same thing," he said. "It's weird making a left turn in the arena (to the visitors' locker room) instead of a right down to the Canes' dressing room.

"It's just a game but it just has a different aura to it, for me personally. It's special for me to play well and show them what they gave away. I'll work as hard as I do every other night, but there will be a little added incentive to do well tonight."

Williams has four goals and nine assists, and is plus-5, in 13 games for the Kings, who are 10-6-2 but coming off losses to Nashville and Chicago. The Kings are in the second game of a five-game road trip.

"We're a team that's really, really close to getting it," Williams said. "We've had games where we've taken periods off, just like every team. The parts where we've lost it, we've lost it big time. We just haven't found exactly the way to stay in games when we're not at our best and that's what we need to do."

Williams, like many in the league, is surprised by the Canes' 12-game winless streak. He also hopes the end of that streak doesn't come tonight.

"We know Carolina will come out with guns ablazing," he said. "They don't want to lose their season too early. At the same time, we've lost two in a row and we're not taking anything for granted.

"I wouldn't wish that (streak) on anybody, losing that many, and I know that's extremely frustrating for all the guys over there. It's still really early in the season. But we'll let them try and get a win another night. Definitely not tonight."

Pitkanen to miss Kings game

chipalexander — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:22:12 -0500

Canes defenseman Joni Pitkanen will miss tonight's game against the LA Kings, coach Paul Maurice said after today's morning skate.

Pitkanen has had a cold and is running a fever, Maurice said. Trainer Pete Friesen says Pitkanen does not have the H1N1 flu.

"We'll keep him at home until he feels better," Maurice said.

With Pitkanen out, Aaron Ward will be paried with Niclas Wallin, and Andrew Alberts possibly will Tim Conboy. Maurce said a player may be recalled from Albany (AHL). The Canes recently reassigned Jay Harrison to the River Rats and also could call up Bryan Rodney.

Is this the day, the game, the 12-game winless streak ends?

"That's the way you have to approach it," Maurice said. "And then when it does happen, it's only a game and you move on to the next one.

"We feel the urgency each night now, but it's also important for us to leave a lot of that behind and not bring it into each game because that's a heavy burden to carry. To play with the quickness and confidence that you need itoplay with in this league, you should bring the fire that it adds to your game but we've got to leave everything else behind."

Corvo: winless streak painful experience

chipalexander — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:47:50 -0500

Canes defenseman Joe Corvo is a perceptive, introspective type of guy. He also can be pretty blunt when it comes to expressing his feelings.

So what has the 12-game winless streak been like for him and his teammates?

"Pretty painful," he said. "It's like there's a wake every day in the locker room, like we're burying somebody."

Asked if he still believed the team has enough talent, enough belief in itself, to turn the season around and get on a roll, Corvo replied:

"I don't know. I guess we'll see when that happens," he said. "I don't know what it's going to take.

"I thought we had what we needed at the beginning of the year. Who knows now? Who knows? We've got guys getting hurt all the time.

"I think when we get some healthy bodies back, it's going to help us I think. Right now, it's difficult for us to score goals and it's going to be difficult to beat teams if we're not keeping them to one or two goals."

Corvo said he needs to stay positive, that it wouldn't help anything or any of his teammates to be disgusted or frustrated.

"It wouldn't help anybody if I sat here and said I expected us to lose the rest of the games this season because I didn't think we had a good enough team to win games," he said. "Just like everybody else, I think it's just little things we need to do to get over this hump and go from there.

"After we do win a game, the mental state might change a bit. Who knows?"

Corvo said he has been in a similar situation before -- with the LA Kings in the 2005-2006 season. He said the team was rolling along until the Olympic break, then nosedived.

"Same type deal -- we just couldn't win a game," he said. "Every goal that the other team scored affected us and it started to become a 'here-we-go-again' type of attitude during every game.

"Somewhat similar."

As for the Canes, Corvo said the defense must be sharper and better if the team is going to shake out of its losing ways.

"Our timing is terrible in terms of penalties, giving up goals," he said. "All those things need to improve."

Corvo said some people may be overlooking what the Canes lost from last year's team with the departure of defensemen Dennis Seidenberg and Anton Babchuk, who combined for 21 goals and 44 assists.

"People say, 'Oh, they've got the same team,' but those were two pretty big contributors right there that are gone," he said. "Moving forward, we added some players to help our defense and our defense hasn't been great at all this year."

Karmanos not worried, not panicking

chipalexander — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:53:32 -0500

Watching the Hurricanes practice today was the man most concerned about the direction of the season -- owner Peter Karmanos Jr.

Karmanos said he was in town on business, not to drop by for a few words with the players or try to boost their morale. Like most in the organization, Karmanos said he did not have a clear answer for what's ailing this team or why it can't shake a winless streak that now has reached 12 games.

"I've never come close to having a losing streak like that," he said. "And this is a very good hockey team. I haven't given up on it. We have a great coaching staff.

"We just need to hang on tight because we're just as capable of winning 12 in a row, or more capable of winning 12 in a row as losing 12 in a row. Or, excuse me, a 12-game winless streak, which is different.

"We have an excellent hockey team. I'm not worried. I'm not panicked."

His thoughts on what's gone wrong in the 2-11-3 start?

"If I knew what it was, we could fix it," he said. "They're a team that won two very tough 7-game playoff series and then lost four straight to a team that I don't think was as good as the two teams we beat."

That would be the Pittsburgh Penguins, who swept the Canes in the Eastern Conference finals and then won the Stanley Cup.

"Something happened. I don't think anybody could really figure out why we lost to Pittsburgh," he said. "After the first game in Pittsburgh, I told Jimmy (Rutherford) that I thought we were better than they were and I felt better about that series than I did about the first two.

"The Boston team we beat was one heck of a good hockey team. New Jersey was really tough. So something happened, I don't know what it was, but it seems to have continued on through this season."

Could it be that the team's overall age is showing? The Canes are the oldest team in the league in terms of average age. Did the two rugged 7-game series take too much out of too many players, with a carryover effect this season?

"No, absolutely not," Karmanos said. "Pittsburgh has some veterans and they aren't suffering from their playoff run.

"Our key players are young. We're going to have to figure it out, but it's an interesting dynamic right now. We need support from the fans because I think the guys are working hard, I think they're talented. I think anything that could go wrong, has gone wrong."

Most would agree with that. The Canes have lost Erik Cole, Eric Staal and now Cam Ward to injuries.

There's also the matter of not scoring goals. That has been a season-long malady.

But Karmanos, again looking back to the Penguins playoff series, said the Canes, after a hot surge late in the season and in the playoffs, suddenly fell into the habit of finding ways to lose games rather than winning them. It's a nasty habit they have not shaken, he said.

"I think once it breaks, we'll see the team that went to the conference finals and the final four last season," he said.

Rutherford is attending the NHL's general managers meeting this week, but Karmanos said not to expect any trade or major transaction being conducted at the meetings. He still believes in the Canes' core group.

"We've got an excellent hockey team," he said. "Our defense is better than it was last year, I believe. We've got one of the best goaltenders in the league. Eric Staal is as good a young star as there is in the league, as far as I'm concerned. We've got balance on all our lines.

"It's not a matter of players. We just have to figure out what's going on. I don't know that it's a mental thing. I don't know what it is."

Legace to start in goal against Kings

chipalexander — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:44:17 -0500

Manny Legace's first start in goal for the Hurricanes will be in his first game with the Hurricanes.

Canes coach Paul Maurice said after practice today that the decision had been made to start Legace on Wednesday against the L.A. Kings, ahead of Michael Leighton. Legace was signed Monday to a one-year contract and has put in two practices with his new team.

Why Legace and not Leighton?

"He's played some and he's practiced some," Maurice said. "Part of it, Mike hasn't played a whole lot of (NHL) hockey here.

"So Manny's going to go. He knows that conference very well. He's knows their shooters and I guess they should know him. But I think this is the kind of opportunity he was waiting for, he was hoping for and he was looking for, so I do think the table is set for him to come in and play his best."

Maurice said a goaltending rotation has not been set.

"We have thoughts on our goaltending, but with where we're at we're not looking three weeks down the road here," he said. "We're looking at tomorrow night and we're completely focused on that."

Defenseman Joni Pitkanen missed his second straight practice with what Maurice generally describes as a cold. Maurice said he anticipates Pitkanen playing against the Kings.

"The whole league is hypersensitive now to anyone who has the sniffles or cold or starting to get flu-like symptoms," Maurice said.

Ray Whitney, who has missed the last two games, could be a gametime decision but has practiced.

"We're pretty positive with where he's at," Maurice said.

Eric Staal was around the locker-room area today and working out with trainer Pete Friesen. Staal said he is feeling better and "hates" sitting and watching the games.

"He's on the bike, he's growly, he's a little bit snarly," Maurice said. "Most guys with injuries, you don't want to hang out and chat with them. You just kind of nod with them as he goes bad.

"He's not in a very good mood and you like that He wants to play badly."

Maurice said he had sent Cam Ward a text message but had not yet the chance to talk to the goaltender. Ward returned to Raleigh on Monday from Columbus.

On Ward's cut leg, Maurice said he wasn't sure how deep the cut was but that it was "deep enough."

"At the end of the day, it was an unfortunate accident but it could have been an awful lot worse it that had been deeper," he said.

Legace joins old friends, new teammates

chipalexander — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:28:59 -0500

They were once teammates on the Detroit Red Wings -- Manny Legace, Aaron Ward and Ray Whitney. Now they've been reunited again with the Hurricanes.

Legace and Ward have known each other since their days in junior hockey in Canada. Whitney has been both teammate and pesky foe. And Legace, with a laugh, said he has known the Canes' Scott Walker "since he was a defenseman."

A crisis situation has put them in the same room again: Cam Ward's leg laceration that will sideline him for at least a month. Legace, signed Monday to a one-year contract, will team with Michael Leighton to try and stabilize the goaltending situation until Ward returns.

"In Detroit we had a good team and he was one of the big reasons why," said Whitney, who played for the Wings in 2003-2004. "We had Curtis Joseph and (Dominik) Hasek both out and he carried the load for three months and he did a good job.

"He plays the puck well. He's competitive, he's fast. He's streaky. He gets on a hot streak and he can carry you. He carried us in Detroit when we didn't have any business winning, and we're going to need the same thing out of him now."

The Canes hope Legace can still produce that kind of play. He's now 36 and coming to the team from the Chicago Wolves (AHL), but he also has 177 NHL wins.

"He makes some acrobatic saves," Ward said. "He's obviously got a pretty good track record. A solid NHL goalie."

But Whitney and Ward stressed the team still has a lot of confidence in Leighton, Ward's backup the last two years.

"Absolutely," Whitney said. "Mike has the opportunity, knowing there's someone else there as well that can help with the load.

"The situation isn't easy for Mike and it isn't easy for Manny to step into. It's not easy for any of us. We're fine with Michael and it may give him that relaxation that he doesn't live and die by every shot that's coming his way. He can relax and just play his game."

Although Leighton was the loser in the 3-2 defeat by the Columbus Blue Jackets after Cam Ward was injured, Aaron Ward said he was composed and made some key saves.

"It's a comforting feeling to know we have two solid guys back there," Ward said.

Speaking of freak injuries, Legace has had one of his own. In late October of last year, with the St. Louis Blues, he was hurt stepping onto a red carpet placed on the ice for vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin to drop a ceremonial first puck.

Legace suffered a hip flexor injury, missed five games and was never the same. He later was placed on waivers by the Blues, cleared waivers and was sent down to Peoria (AHL).

"I deserved to get sent down. I wasn't professional about it," Legace said. "I took my medicine and it cost me over the summer. Teams were shying away because of it. Understandable."

But the Atlanta Thrashers gave him a tryout. The Wolves later gave him a place to play. Now he's with the Hurricanes, with some old friends.

The Legace signing: What does it mean?

ldecock — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:32:02 -0500

Carolina's emergency signing of Manny Legace to fill in while Cam Ward is out is interesting on a number of levels.

Sure, it's easy to look at a goalie who couldn't make Atlanta's roster and scoff, but he's also a veteran with tons of experience. The Hurricanes need a stable hand at this point as much as they need a quick one. Legace should be able to provide that, at the least.

Most notably, it's an indication that the Hurricanes aren't completely certain Michael Leighton can handle the load while Ward is out. If they were, they could bring up one of their AHL goalies to watch from the bench for the next month (more on that later). The fact that they didn't indicates they want more options. This is unfortunate, because Leighton two years ago played so well in the AHL that it looked like he'd be suited for spot duty at worst in the NHL. But given how few games he has started since he was called up at the beginning of last season, it's hardly Leighton's fault if he's not in prime game shape.

It's also an indication that Ward's injury may have ramifications that last beyond the month or so he may miss. When Ward returned quickly, after less than two weeks, from a less severe version of a similar injury at the end of the 2006-07 season, he was clearly at less than full strength. Even when Ward is cleared to play, he may not be ready to play. Legace gives Carolina some flexibility in that area. They should have learned by now that rushing Ward back from this kind of an injury can be a mistake.

It is not, however, an indication of a lack of faith in either of Carolina's AHL goalies, Justin Peters or Mike Murphy. Both are still young (and let's not forget the development curve for goalies is far longer than any other position), both are still developing and both need more experience in the AHL before they're ready for an extended period of NHL time. Their time will come -- or it won't -- but it certainly isn't now.

Ward's injury could be a killer blow for a team that has almost always tried to save money at the backup goalie position. Kevin Weekes was on top of his game in the fall of 2002 when he was knocked out with a concussion during a cathartic win over Detroit; his injury played a key role in Carolina's fall from grace that season.

Canes sign Legace

chipalexander — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:34:28 -0500

As expected, the Hurricanes have signed a goaltender and it is veteran Manny Legace.

Legace, who has 177 NHL victories, was playing for the Chicigo Wolves (AHL) after a preseason tryout with the Atlanta Thrashers.

Legace was signed to a one-year, two-way contract that pays him $500,000 on the NHL level and $105,000 on the AHL level.

"It's too good of a team to be struggling," Legace said today after his first practice. "You look at the team, you look at the way they played last year, it's just bounces. You see some highlights and just weird stuff is happening.

"But if they keep working as hard as they did out there today, it's going to turn. That's all it takes is hard work ... to make your own luck again."

With Cam Ward out at least three of four weeks, Canes coach Paul Maurice said he pleased to be able to add a veteran such as Legace, rather than say calling up Justin Peters from Albany (AHL), but he didn't proclaim Legace the No. 1 guy ahead of Michael Leighton.

"He's a proven winner," Maurice said. "He's stopped a lot of pucks and is a veteran guy. We just thought it would be a difficult situation to bring a goalie out of the minor leagues from our system -- we didn't necessarily want to put him through that.

"It's always a competition. You are going to see him play. We'll make decisions on what games those are going to be. ... We've got a lot of hockey here in the next month or so before we expect Cam's return. There's going to be enough net for both guys, but clearly if either one of them gets on any kind of roll we'll run 'em."

Legace, 36, has a career NHL record of 177-92-36, with a goals-against average of 2.38, a save percentage of .912 and 23 shutouts in 337 games played with Los Angeles, Detroit and St. Louis. His best NHL season came in 2005-06, with Detroit, when he posted a record of 37-8-0, ranking third in the NHL in goals-against average (2.19), fifth in wins (37) and tied for second in shutouts (7).

Another interesting fact: Legace was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the eighth round (188th overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.

Monday debate: Ward's injury

chipalexander — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for the Hurricanes ...

Cam Ward probably will be out at least a month with the leg laceration. That leaves the Canes with a decision: trade for a goaltender, sign a goaltender or call up Justin Peters from Albany.

Odds are the Canes will sign a goalie and it likely could be Manny Legace. Is that their best move?

The floor is open.

Best guess: Canes could turn to Legace

chipalexander — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:52:46 -0500

So what's the Canes' next move? Cam Ward will be out at least three to four weeks, general manager Jim Rutherford says, so a goaltending decision must be made.

The best guess here is that the Hurricanes will sign a goaltender and that it will be Manny Legace. He's 36, he's experienced, he's won 177 NHL games.

Legace had a preseason tryout with the Atlanta Thrashers and has been playing for the Chicago Wolves (AHL). He would be able to hop in and team with Michael Leighton.

Rutherford has not said what direction the Canes will take, but it seems like signing Legace would be the best option if the Canes can make it work financially.

Ward to stay in hospital; Canes mull options

chipalexander — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:50:49 -0500

Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said today that goaltender Cam Ward would remain at a Columbus, Ohio, hospital another day and that the team may look to trade or sign another goaltender.

Ward suffered a laceration of the left leg in the first period of the Canes' 3-2 loss at Columbus on Saturday and was taken to Riverside Hospital.

"We'll have to see how it goes," Rutherford said today of Ward's injury and recovery time. "It appears it will be a fairly long period of time."

UPDATE: Rutherford said Sunday afternoon that Ward could be out a month but that the injury is not considered season-ending. He did not confirm a report by the Columbus Dispatch that Ward underwent surgery for a laceration of a thigh muscle.

Rutherford said the Hurricanes are looking at different options: a trade, signing an available goaltender or calling up Justin Peters from Albany (AHL).

"We're talking over the options. We don't have an answer right now," he said.

Ward was expected to return to Raleigh today but Rutherford said he would be kept another day as a precautionary move.

"He's stitched up but he has to stay real stable," Rutherford said. "They want to be careful about infections and those things."

Rutherford said he quickly realized the injury was serious when he saw Ward doubled over in pain after being nicked by the skate of the Blue Jackets' Rick Nash.

"He's the type who'll get hit and never lets on," Rutherford said. "When he did not get up I knew it was more serious. I felt so bad for him.

"This just goes with everything else that has gone on this season."

The Hurricanes are winless in their last 12 games after a 3-2 loss to the Jackets and were playing without injured forwards Eric Staal and Ray Whitney. Forward Erik Cole suffered a leg injury in the second game of the season and missed 10 games.

Rutherford said he expected Whitney to return for the Canes' game Wednesday against the L.A. Kings at the RBC Center. If Whitney is not able to play, Rutherford said Zach Boychuk could be recalled from Albany -- Boychuk was reassigned to the River Rats (AHL) this morning after playing two games for the Hurricanes.

Rutherford noted conducting a trade in November is "not easy."

"But we're always looking at contingency plans," he said.

Boychuk reassigned to Albany

chipalexander — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:14:41 -0500

Zach Boychuk is headed back to Albany. The winger played in the last two games for the Hurricanes after an injury to Ray Whitney.

Boychuk, 20, notched his first NHL point with an assist on Tim Gleason's goal in the Canes' 3-2 loss Saturday at Columbus.

Boychuk, the team's first-round draft pick in 2008, averaged 14:35 of ice time in games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets. He has four goals and five assists in 12 games for the River Rats (AHL) this season.

Ward's injury has surreal feel to it

chipalexander — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:21:04 -0500

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It's not good.

You could sense it by the somber looks on the faces, the tone of voice, the frowns around the Canes' locker room after Saturday's game. Cam Ward's leg injury against the Columbus Blue Jackets was serious -- certainly serious enough to shift a nightmarish season into the surreal.

Canes coach Paul Maurice called the injury "significant" and it is that. Ward suffered a laceration to the left leg when Rick Nash sprawled in front of the net and Nash's right skate appeared to nick Ward around the left knee area.

Maurice was almost ashen after the 3-2 loss to the Jackets. His voice almost broke when he was asked about Ward possibly being sidelined.

"That's going to be tough to take," he said. "But it's where we're at."

What now? The Canes may look to call up Justin Peters from the Albany River Rats (AHL) to back up Michael Leighton. Peters is 5-4-1 with a 2.19 goals-against average and .925 save percentage.

Ward's injury is similar to the one he suffered against the New York Rangers in March 2007. Rangers forward Brad Isbister cut Ward's knee with a skate, and Ward missed just three games.

Will it be that kind of injury again -- three games and back in the lineup? Or will it force the Hurricanes into a major decision on a goaltender?

Ward has said a personal goal this season was to be selected to Team Canada for the Vancouver Olympics. Only time will tell how much the injury damages his chances.

Ward in stable condition after "significant" injury

kkeister — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:54:03 -0500

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward, who was taken to a hospital Saturday after being injured during the game with the Columbus Blue Jackets, received stitches and is expected to return to Raleigh on Sunday.

Ward suffered a laceration to his left leg in the first period when hit by the skate of the Jackets' Rick Nash. The injury was called "significant" by Canes coach Paul Maurice and Ward's return is not known.

Team officials said that Ward was in stable condition.

Ward in stable condition after "significant" injury

kkeister — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:54:03 -0500

Team officials said that Ward was in stable condition.

Blue Jackets 3, Canes 2

chipalexander — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:44:30 -0500

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Carolina Hurricanes went into the game with an 11-game winless streak and without forwards Eric Staal and Ray Whitney.

And after the first 7 1-2 minutes Saturday, they were playing without goaltender Cam Ward, who suffered that coach Paul Maurice called a "significant injury" to his left leg.

That's asking a lot of a hockey team, and especially one that's struggling, mightily. It was asking too much this night as the Columbus Blue Jackets surged in the third period to take a 3-2 victory at Nationwide Arena.

Trailing 1-0 after two periods, the Jackets opened the third with a flurry of goals. Nikita Filatov scored 50 seconds into the period. Jared Boll scored at 2:55, and then Rick Nash just 36 seconds after Boll.

Just like that the Canes' lead was gone and the game, in essence, turned into another lost cause. The Hurricanes, who got goals from Erik Cole and Tim Gleason, fall to 2-11-3 and again failed to win a road game, falling to 0-7-2.

Ward was injured with 12:25 left in the first period and had to be helped off the ice. Ward was bleeding and appeared to have been hit on his left leg by Nash's skate after Nash was knocked down in front of the Canes goal.

Ward was taken to a hospital for further examination and treatment.

Michael Leighton is in the game for the Canes.

Cole scored his first goal of the season at 9:05 of the first on a Matt Cullen assist. ...

The Canes in pregame have no line changes from the Leafs game, and the defensive pairs remain the same. Cam Ward in goal.

Here are some numbers to ponder: since the start of last season, the Jackets are 15-3-3 against Eastern teams and have outscored them 62-39. Goaltender Steve Mason is 13-1-2 against East teams with a 1.41 goals-against average and .950 save percentage.

Hitchcock: Canes a hard team to figure

chipalexander — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:22:10 -0500

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Maybe Ken Hitchcock was being nice. Or coy. Or, perhaps, truthful.

The Columbus Blue Jackets coach said today he had watched tape of some of the Canes' recent games and has been surprised by what he saw.

"I can't figure it out," Hitchcock said after the Jackets' morning skate at Nationwide Arena. "I just don't see the poor play that usually comes with losing."

Hitchcock noted he found himself shaking his head a little when watching video of the Canes' 5-1 loss Sunday to the San Jose Sharks at the RBC Center.

"I thought they were playing great and dominating against a really good hockey club," he said. "I couldn't believe that game turned out the way it did.

"The game just turned. When things aren't going well for you the little things have such an impact. Then San Jose scored some goals and the game was over. I just think Carolina is playing better than its record."

No one can be sure what to expect tonight. The Jackets (8-5-2) have won two of their last three, sandwiching wins over Washington and Atlanta around an overtime loss to San Jose. Columbus topped the Thrashers 4-3 in Atlanta on Thursday in their last game.

The Canes (2-10-3), winless in their last 11 games, are in the second of a back-to-back after what may have been the toughest-to-swallow loss in a season that has had a number of them.

"You don't mind a back-to-back if they're playing the night before, too," Canes coach Paul Maurice said. "They're a tough defensive team and they skate well.

"You're going to have to work for everything you get. And for a team that's struggling, we have to be very conscious that we're not hoping to get something easy and when it doesn't happen it hurts you."

Jackets defenseman Mike Commodore has missed the last two games with a leg injury but will play against his old team. Today is Commodore's 30th birthday, and he scored a goal against the Canes in the Jackets' win last season.

"I still get a little extra jump when I play them," he said. "It's hard not to get up emotionally. I have a lot of respect for the organization and wish them the best, but at the same time you want to play your best and beat your former team."

Boychuk's play earns praise, confidence

chipalexander — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:55:30 -0500

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Lost in all the gloom and dejection of the Canes' 3-2 loss Friday to the Maple Leafs was that Zach Boychuk made his NHL debut this season and played well.

Let's just say the winger, called up Friday from Albany (AHL), played well enough to make
coach Paul Maurice more than comfortable with what he saw on the ice.

"What you're hoping for, on a team struggling for offense, you're hoping for offense," Maurice said today. "At the same time, you want to be able to play the young player, so you want that confidence and comfort level as a coach.

"What he did was do all the things he needed to do to buy himself the ice time, and eventually his hand skills and his ability will come out. That's what you're hoping for."

Boychuk played on Matt Cullen's line with Erik Cole and had 15:11 of ice time and a team-high five shots on goal. In the final moments of the second period, he had Canes
fans roaring at the RBC Center when he shook free on a breakaway, only to be stopped by goaltender Jonas Gustavsson.

Maurice said Boychuk's play was much like Brandon Sutter's when he was brought up
from the River Rats and placed in the lineup for the Minnesota Wild game. Sutter scored his third goal of the season and had a season-high 17:29 ice time against the Leafs.

"You want to make the coach feel safe enough to play you, to give you the minutes, to have a chance to do the things that you know you can do," Maurice said.

Maurice indicated that Boychuk would stay on Cullen's line tonight against the Blue Jackets. No lineup changes are expected. Ray Whitney, who suffered an upper-body injury against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, missed Friday's game and did not make the trip.

Leafs 3, Canes 2

jpg — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:04:57 -0500

RALEIGH -- Good or bad teams, Eastern or Western Conference, American or Canadian, the Carolina Hurricanes do not discriminate when it comes to losing.

The Canes dropped their 11th straight on Friday night, a 3-2 disappointment to the equally generous Toronto Maple Leafs, who are riding high in 29th place in the NHL standings compared to the basement the Canes inhabit.

Jason Blake's power-play goal in the third period completed a two-goal comeback for the Maple Leafs, who doubled their win total at the hapless Canes' expense.

Carolina, which has won twice in 15 games — and not since Oct. 9 — after reaching the conference finals last spring, has dropped consecutive games to the two other teams drifting with flotsam and jetsam at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

The Canes started Friday's game, just their fourth home date in a month, like a team intent on jump-starting their season, or least giving Toronto the last-place anchor. Even without front-liners Eric Staal and Ray Whitney, the Canes scored the first two goals of the game and generally dominated the first period.

The 2-0 lead disappeared when Toronto returned the favor in the second period, which set the stage for Blake's game-winner at 11:36 in the third.

If there is a bright spot in the franchise's worst start (2-10-3) since moving to North Carolina in 1997, Brandon Sutter continued to be a bright spot in a gloomy fall for the Canes. The second-year center scored his third goal in four games, a sweet backhand finish at 7:51 in the first off a redirected pass from Rod Brind'Amour.

Sergei Samsonov made it 2-0 on a rebound of a Andrew Alberts slapshot from the left point at 17:22 in the first. Then the Canes' offense went on hiatus without Staal, who missed his second straight game with an "upper body" injury, and Whitney, who was still feeling the after effects of a cross-check from Wednesday's loss in Florida.

The Leafs cut into the Canes' lead just 72 seconds into the second period with center John Mitchell's one-timer from the right point.

Alexei Ponikarovsky's pass off the boards, around Canes defenseman Aaron Ward and winger Jussi Jokinen, gave the winger a head of steam into the Canes' zone and his centering pass hit winger Nikolai Kulemin on the tape in front of the net at 7:23 in the second to even the score.

The one-goal loss represented progress for the Canes, who had been out-scored 19-4 in the previous four losses, and none closer than three goals.

Canes-Leafs prediction: one team has to win

chipalexander — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:57:19 -0500

The Hurricanes, winless in their last 10 games, are 30th in the NHL standings and the Toronto Maple Leafs 29th. So what kind of game will it be tonight at the RBC Center?

"9-8 tonight -- that's the prediction," Canes coach Paul Maurice said today after the morning skate. "They're trying to manufacture their goals the same way we are -- get as many pucks to the net as you can and drive the net. Unfortunately for both teams it just seems the bounces have just not been going.

"But clearly you can't look at these two records and say it's a matter of bounces. There's a reason where they're at. But I would expect a lot of scrums in front of the net, a lot of traffic in front of the net.

"I'm all for a 9-8'er. I'd like to come out on the right end."

The Canes (2-9-3) are 29th in the NHL in goals against and the Leafs 30th, so Maurice's prediction could be dead-on. But Carolina also is last in the league in penalties and tied for last in goals scored with the Nashville Predators after the Preds were shut out late Thursday night.

"It hasn't been any one thing other than the fact we're not scoring enough goals to take pressure off other areas of the game," Maurice said. "It has put a tremendous amount of pressure on our defense. We need to get that end going."

Canes forward Tuomo Ruutu said he expected a good, tight game with the Leafs (1-7-5) because "There will be two desperate teams are playing."

Many players use the word "desperate" but it applies with these two teams.

Ruutu, Boychuk ready to play

chipalexander — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:38:27 -0500

Tuomo Ruutu says he's playing tonight. Zach Boychuk says he was told he probably would be playing tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Coach Paul Maurice wasn't as sure, at least in his remarks after today's morning skate. He said the decisions on Ruutu, forward Ray Whitney and Boychuk, who was called up Thursday from Albany (AHL) , won't be made until just before game time.

Odds are, Whitney will not play because of an upper-body concern. Odds are Ruutu, who also missed Thursday's practice with an upper-body injury, will be in the lineup.

Where does that leave Boychuk?

"He will put me wherever he thinks I fit and I'll do my best to help the team," Boychuk said of Maurice. "Basically we're going to try to keep it simple and just try to get pucks to the net. That's going to be my goal.

"Maurice took me and said, 'Don't be worried about making the other veterans happy. You've got to put the pucks to the net.' I'm a young guy and don't have a lot of experience. I have to bring hard work and a lot of youthful energy."

Boychuk, who played two road games for the Canes early last season before being returned to the Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL), has not played a game at the RBC Center. He said Maurice has not told him which line he would be playing with if in the lineup.

Boychuk was rooming with center Brandon Sutter in Albany before Sutter was called up Oct. 24. He laughed when he was told he was already two goals behind Sutter.

"Those were beauties," Boychuk said. "He's played great. Hopefully I can do the same and make an impression."

Sutter, Boychuk may be Canes' energy source

chipalexander — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:33:03 -0500

Someone else can do the math and the Hurricanes may still be the oldest team in the league, but their average age is dipping.

Brandon Sutter, 20, has been in the lineup five games. Zach Boychuk, who turned 20 on Oct. 4, will be in it Friday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Sutter and Boychuk began the season with the Albany River Rats (AHL) after leading the Hurricanes prospects to the championship in a rookie tournament hosted by the Detroit Red Wings. Sutter was called up Oct. 24. Boychuk got the call Thursday.

What can two 20-year-olds and former first-round picks do for the big team?

"We're just young guys and we'll try to bring energy," Sutter said Thursday. "I think so far it's gone OK for me but we're obviously not winning. We'll try to bring what we can and see what happens."

Sutter, who played 50 games for the Canes last season, scored the only goals in Carolina's recent losses to Philadelphia and San Jose, and has been active on the penalty-kill team. Boychuk will be expected to add speed and quickness on the wing, be a scoring threat and be responsible defensively.

"I'm sure he'll be excited," Sutter said. "It's always exciting when you're down there and you get called up."

General manager Jim Rutherford said Thursday that both Sutter and Boychuk would be among the top nine forwards against the Leafs.

"That's great," Sutter said. "Even in the first five games I've been here I've been in the top nine. Even when I was playing on the fourth line I was still getting 10 to 13 minutes.

"if you play more than 10 minutes a night you're going to get better. So far it's gone well and I'm just going to keep playing and hopefully stay."

No complaints from coach Paul Maurice.

"We've gotten good results," he said. "Young Sutter has come in and given us some good jump and good effort and played some fine hockey for us.

"We'll bring these guys in and we'll play 'em. We'll play 'em and give 'em a chance."

Boychuk called up: Whitney, Ruutu injured

chipalexander — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:20:59 -0500

With the possibility that Ray Whitney and Tuomo Ruutu may miss games with upper-body injuries, the Canes are calling up forward Zach Boychuk from the Albany River Rats (AHL).

General manager Jim Rutherford said Boychuk probably would be on Jussi Jokinen's line with Erik Cole. Sutter may be on a wing today on Rod Brind'Amour"s line with Sergei Samsonov, he said.

Both Whitney and Ruutu will have MRIs and CTs today, Rutherford said. He said it's possible Ruutu could play Friday against Toronto, but Whitney may have to sit out a few games.

Boychuk, the team's first-round draft pick in 2008, has four goals and five assists in 12 games for the Rats. He played two games with the Canes early last season before being sent back to the Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL), his junior team.

The Canes already are playing without center Eric Staal, out two to four weeks with an upper-body injury.

Canes can't win for losing

chipalexander — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:02:08 -0500

SUNRISE, Fla. -- When will it end?

Friday, against the Toronto Maple Leafs? The next day, at Columbus? Next week? Later in the month?

The Hurricanes will win another game at some point, but it's hard to guess when. Or how.

For those who may be wondering, the franchise had a 10-game winless streak within a season in 1993-94. From Oct. 16 to Nov. 6, 1993, the Hartford Whalers were 0-9-1.

Then there was the 1991-92 team. It was winless for 14 straight games.

This Hurricanes team, which now has Eric Staal sidelined for two to four weeks, now has been shut out three times after the 3-0 loss Wednesday to the Florida Panthers. It has scored more than two goals just three times and been outscored 41-17 in the 10-game losing streak and 14-2 in the last three games.

The Canes (2-9-3) had 21 shots, a season high for a period, in the first against the Panthers. But goaltender Tomas Vokoun, shelled by the Canes in the Panthers' 7-2 loss Oct. 9 at the RBC Center, turned back everything. Coming off a shutout of the St. Louis Blues, Vokoun added another.

"I thought we played well," goaltender Cam Ward said. "Obviously it's no secret we're having a tough time putting the puck in the net. I thought tonight we were more deserving of a better outcome, but we've just got to stick with it.

"But it's not easy when you're on a losing streak."

Center Jussi Jokinen said the Canes "played really good hockey" in the first period. Carolina had three power plays, spent most of the period in the Florida end and had some good looks, controlling the flow of the gam. But, of course, couldn't score.

After going the first 20 minutes without a penalty, the Canes had four in the second period. The Panthers didn't score on their four power plays and it was still scoreless after two periods, but Florida was growing stronger as the game went on.

"Obviously Vokoun played a great game," Jokinen said. "We couldn't find any holes. We had lots of good chances but we just couldn't score."

The Panthers did, three times, with the last an empty-netter. Florida now has won its last three games.

The Hurricanes will practice Thursday at the RecZone. But practice alone can't put the puck in the net. That has to happen come game time.

"Obviously it's tough," Jokinen said. "The only way to get out of this funk is work hard every day. If we can play like we did the first 30 minutes today we'll win lots of games."

But when?

Panthers 3, Canes 0

chipalexander — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:08:51 -0500

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Steven Reinprecht gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead at 5:09 of the third, tipping in a Cory Stillman shot. Stillman then added a power-play goal with 6:16 to play, and with Tomas Vokoun strong in net, Florida had all it needed.

The Panthers, gaining more energy and the game progressed, had several chances to add to the lead through the middle minutes of the third. Michael Frolik missed an open net. Gregory Campbell had a good look in front, and Kenndal McArdle.

A penalty on the Canes' Joni Pitkanen then led to the Panthers' second score. Stillman, always dangerous around the net, redirected the puck past Ward.

Bryan Allen scored an unassisted empty-netter with 2:01 remaining to make it the final score, 3-0.

earlier...

In the second period, the Canes went to the penalty box -- time and again. Carolina picked up four penalties in a span of about nine minutes -- two by defenseman Tim Gleason, who returned after missing five games with an injury -- but killed them off.

Ward made a sure glove save on a hard shot by the Panthers' Nathan Horton on the third Florida power play, and Sutter had a short-handed chance on the fourth power play of the period.

With two minutes left in the second, the Canes swarmed around Vokoun. Chad LaRose and Matt Cullen swatted at the puck, but Vokoun would not relent.

earlier...

The Canes dominated play in the first period -- and it's scoreless.

The Canes had three power plays. They had 21 shots, to the Panthers' four. Again, the Canes can't get anything in the net. Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun, coming off a shutout of St. Louis, has stopped everything. ...

When the Canes pounded the Panthers 7-2 on Oct. 9, who would have believed they would come to Florida on Nov. 4 looking for their next win?

No changes in pregame lines or defensive pairs. Brandon Sutter was the fourth-line center with Stephane Yelle and Tom Kostopoulos. ...

Former Cane defenseman Dennis Seidenberg has six assists for the Panthers. That tops Jussi Jokinen's team-high five for the Canes. ...

When the Canes beat the Panthers at the RBC Center, 12 players had points. Oddly, Eric Staal wasn't one of them. ...

Apparently the Panthers were offering some free tickets online to tonight's game. Well, let's call it 75 cents apiece. That was the Ticketmaster charge per ticket, but the tickets were at no cost. ...

Have Canes reached that 'point" yet?

chipalexander — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:05:07 -0500

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Canes defenseman Niclas Wallin has been with the team long enough to go through a lot of highs and lows.

A nine-game losing streak qualifies as a low. It also appears injured center Eric Staal might be out two-to-four weeks, not just a few games. Another low.

But Wallin said there has been enough talk and video sessions and practice and systems work and morale-building.

"There comes a point when you say, the heck with it, let's just go win a game," Wallin said today after the Canes' morning skate at BankAtlantic Center.

Actually, Wallin used a little stronger language than that, but you get the point. And Canes coach Paul Maurice agreed.

"This is where the coaches get paid," he said. "Not when things are good. So you talk more, and you cajole and you hug and you do all those things. At the end of the day, the puck has to drop and this is all secondary.

"We're not playing very well but I believe we will. We're not winning but I believe we will. It's easy to be very, very negative in this situation, but I don't believe that's what we need now. Now we just have to drop the puck and we have an opportunity to prove that."

Much has been made of the Canes' fragile confidence and how their body language changes during games when things start going against them. But one win can change things, as the Florida Panthers have proven with their two recent road wins.

"Your confidence changes and you look at your schedule and say, 'We might run the whole table,'" Maurice said. "That's the pressure of pro sports and maybe any sport -- when the pressure affects what you do. Shift by shift, you just have to fight back to get that good feeling in your room."

Maurice was asked today if the team was too old and too slow. Carolina is the oldest team in the league, even with 20-year-old Brandon Sutter in the lineup.

"I remember that exact comment in early January of last year," he said."'Small' is the other one they threw in there. And then in two months we looked young, fast and big.

"I don't see any difference. Four months really doesn't age a hockey player. I don't think that's a factor here."

At 2-8-3, the Canes still have 69 games left. A lot of hockey left, as they say.

"It can't be Christmas every day at the rink," Maurice said "Then you get to that point where I think we're at now where you have to go back to focusing on the things, the details, the process of our game, that we can build some confidence in doing the small things well and start from there."

Panthers' DeBoer has felt Canes' pain

chipalexander — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:41:08 -0500

SUNRISE, Fla. — Florida Panthers coach Peter DeBoer says he's wary of the Hurricanes and worried about tonight's game.

Coachspeak? Do a degree, yes. The Canes have lost their last nine games and will be playing tonight without center Eric Staal for the first time since March 2004.

"There's no doubt we'll see their best game," DeBoer said today. "We've been in the same spot Carolina is now.

"I've said I'd rather catch a team on a winning streak than what Carolina is going through now. You know it's a matter of time, that it will come. You just hope it's not tonight."

The Panthers were 2-7-1 and in a downward spiral -- including the early 7-2 loss at the RBC Center — before ending their slide by winning road games at Dallas and St. Louis. Florida has not played since a 4-0 win over the Blues on Saturday.

"This league is an emotional rollercoaster," DeBoer said. "Six or seven days ago we were where Carolina is and the question was would we ever win another game. Then you win a game and things go right and you feel you can't lose.

"This is the first time we've felt good about ourselves in a while. I said at 2-7 that I didn't feel we were a 2-7 team and didn't feel we were playing like a 2-7 team. You've just got to stick with it and good things will happen."

Panthers defenseman Dennis Seidenberg stays is touch with several of his former teammates and said he's just as mystified as they seem to be over all that has gone wrong for the Canes.

As for the Panthers' turnaround, he said, "We started getting a lead, then building on it. We've also cut down on all the mistakes."

Sounds like a winning formula.