Canes goaltending coach Tom Barrasso made the suggestion, but it had nothing to do with Cam Ward.

What about putting winger Michael Ryan on Eric Staal's line, Barrasso said during the second intermission of Thursday's game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Canes coach Paul Maurice liked the idea, made the switch and it paid off with a tying goal.

Michael Ryan doesn't make any decisions on who gets called up from the Albany River Rats and who gets sent down. That's up to general manager Jim Rutherford and the Hurricanes coaches.

All Ryan knows is that he has been called up, for a third time this season, and will do everything he can to stay up.

"I wanted to show Paul (Maurice) was I was capable of, and I've gained some confidence and I think I've slowly done that a little bit," Ryan said. "I still wish I had been able to finish a few more (offensive) chances and stuff like that. But he's given me more minutes the past few games.

"I definitely feel more comfortable and I just hope it continues to go that way."

With forward Scott Walker not expected to play in Thursday's match against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the RBC Center, the Hurricanes recalled forward Michael Ryan from their AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats on Wednesday.