Center Eric Staal, after going through the Canes' morning skate, has been cleared to play tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes, general manager Jim Rutherford said today.
Staal had a hamstring issue during Thursday's game at San Jose and did not play after the second period. The Canes rallied to win in a 4-3 shootout.
"He was planning on coming out for the third period," Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said after Saturday's morning skate at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Ariz. "Pete [Friesen, the team's top trainer] wasn’t excited about it, so I made the decision that he wasn’t going out. I don’t think he was overly happy about it, but I think he understood it."
Staal has played in 307 consecutive games, the second-longest in franchise history. The streak will go on.
"We put the screws to him and said, 'Unless you are sure, you're not playing tonight,'" said Maurice. "And he said, 'No, I'm ready to go and I expect to play my normal shift.'"
Maurice also expected defenseman Niclas Wallin to be available for tonight's game. Wallin has missed five games after aggravating a leg injury.
UPDATE: Rutherford activated Wallin from injured reserve and placed defenseman Dennis Seidenberg on injured reserve to make room on the roster.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
i hope
Sat, 02/07/2009 - 18:04 — esteban1949He isn't going to over do it...hamstrings, and deep bruises in the thighs along with groin pulls or tears are tough at times...
Go Canes