From Talking Points:
Only Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford knows if Peter Laviolette saved his job with Sunday’s 3-2 comeback, shootout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, or if his job was even in danger.
This much is for certain: Laviolette’s seat has been pretty hot lately after a three-game losing streak that saw the Hurricanes outscored 13-5. Here’s another certainty, if Hurricanes history is any guide: Just because times are tough now doesn’t mean he can’t rally the team to the playoffs.
Whatever ends up happening, the Canes’ slide and Laviolette’s resulting uncertain position ranks among the five most significant coaching crises in the Hurricanes’ time in North Carolina — this week's Tuesday Top Five.
Read more here.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at 829-8947 or 
