After Tuesday’s loss, the easy decision would have been to swap struggling defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti out of the lineup for Jamie McBain, a healthy scratch in the Hurricanes’ first two games. No one would have raised an eyebrow.

Instead, veteran Joe Corvo was a healthy scratch Thursday against the Sabres and Sanguinetti stayed in. It was a curious, but thoughtful, decision on Muller’s part, sending a message of accountability to the veterans while bolstering Sanguinetti’s wounded confidence.

McBain played well. Sanguinetti played well. And the Hurricanes produced their best defensive performance of the season in the 6-3 win over Buffalo.

Defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti of the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) has a hip condition that may require surgery, Canes general manager Jim Rutherford said today.

Sanguinetti, 22, has played in 19 games for the Checkers this season, scoring two goals with seven assists.

Rutherford said the organization still was seeking medical opinions, adding that Sanguinettis's condition had "gotten worse over time." If surgery is necessary, Sanguinetti likely would be lost for the remainder of the season.