Hurricanes Team Report

INSIDE SHOTS

Any good vibes the Hurricanes had from their recent five-game points streak pretty much washed away with a couple of road losses.

They are winless in 12 road games this season, the longest such skid for the franchise. Nine of the losses have come in regulation.

They had their chances in a 3-2 setback at Anaheim on Wednesday. Carolina held the lead through almost two periods despite being outplayed at times. In fact, the Hurricanes led for more than 37 minutes of the game.

The Hurricanes are 1-7-1 against teams from the Western Conference.

They’re back for a dose of games against Eastern Conference teams beginning Friday night at home against Atlanta. But there will be another road game the next night when the Hurricanes visit Buffalo.

The return of center Eric Staal(notes) to the lineup Wednesday should provide a boost. But given that his teammates haven’t strung together many strong offensive games during his absence, he’s not likely to be given a lot of support while working his way back into game mode. His timing appeared OK for his first game back after nearly a month as a spectator.

Ducks 3, Hurricanes 2:   The Hurricanes gave up two third-period goals to fall behind by two goals, with their final goal coming after they pulled G Manny Legace(notes) for an extra skater. RW Tom Kostopoulos(notes) and C Brandon Sutter(notes) scored for the Hurricanes, though converting on offense was generally the problem and a familiar theme for this team.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Here’s an example of why it’s safe to say the Hurricanes haven’t received production anywhere close to the levels expected from veteran players returning from the Eastern Conference finalist team of last season. In Wednesday night’s loss to Anaheim, the Hurricanes’ two goals came from players who weren’t with the team during the 2009 postseason. C Brandon Sutter began this season in the minor leagues.

• C Eric Staal returned to the lineup on Wednesday night after a 10-game absence as he dealt with an upper-body injury. Staal played nearly 17 minutes, though he was in the penalty box when Anaheim scored its first goal. He was active, though, posting a team-high six shots on goal.

Quote To Note:   “It’s going to take 60 minutes.”—Goaltender Manny Legace, who gave up a goal in the final minute of the first period and a goal in the final two minutes of the third period Wednesday night against Anaheim. He has yielded goals in the final two minutes of two of the past three games.

ROSTER REPORT

Goaltenders:   Manny Legace, Michael Leighton(notes), Cam Ward(notes) (injured).

Defensemen:   Aaron Ward(notes), Tim Gleason(notes), Niclas Wallin(notes), Andrew Alberts(notes), Joe Corvo(notes), Joni Pitkanen(notes).

First Line:   Ray Whitney(notes), Eric Staal, Erik Cole(notes).

Second Line:   Jussi Jokinen(notes), Matt Cullen(notes), Chad LaRose(notes).

Third Line:   Sergei Samsonov(notes), Brandon Sutter, Tom Kostopoulos.

Fourth Line:   Rod Brind’Amour(notes), Stephan Yelle, Patrick Dwyer.

Player Notes:  

• RW Tuomo Ruutu(notes) did not play Wednesday night at Anaheim, missing a game for the first time this season because of injury. His other three games out of the lineup came because of a suspension for a hit on Colorado’s Darcy Tucker(notes).

• RW Tom Kostopoulos scored on Wednesday night’s first shot in the game. It came in his 400th career NHL game, giving him two goals during his first season with the Hurricanes.

• D Aaron Ward’s next game will mark his 300th with the Hurricanes, but there hasn’t been much distinctive about the games he has played this season since returning to the organization in an offseason transaction. Ward seems to still be trying to figure out exactly what his role will be, and he often appears a stride slow in reacting.

Medical Watch:  

• RW Tuomo Ruutu (lower body) missed Wednesday’s game at Anaheim. He will be evaluated carefully as the team returns home for a Friday night game.

• RW Scott Walker(notes) (upper body) didn’t return after leaving the Nov. 15 game with an undisclosed injury. He’ll be out for at least two weeks.

• G Michael Leighton (groin) suffered an injury during the Nov. 17 game at Montreal. He’s listed as day-to-day, missing out on a chance for more playing time with the absence of top G Cam Ward.

• G Cam Ward (leg cut) left the Nov. 7 game at Columbus when he was cut in the first period with a skate from Columbus’ Rick Nash(notes). He spent two nights in a Columbus hospital before returning home as he lost considerable blood. He’s expected to miss about a month of action, though that could be adjusted to a longer period once a recovery plan is put in place. He’s on long-term injured reserve.

• LW Michael Ryan(notes) (concussion) was injured in the Sept. 21 preseason game at Atlanta. He’s on injured reserve and he’ll be a likely candidate for a minor league assignment when he’s ready to return.