Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes are playing with more confidence, and they're certainly no longer dogged by the winless streak that ballooned to 14 games not long ago.

With points in their last five games, the Hurricanes can look at making up for the botched opening weeks of the season. It's a long haul back, but the Hurricanes realize it must come bit by bit.

Even though it took 22 games this season in order for them to win for the second time in regulation, the Hurricanes have something to build on as they head to Dallas for Monday night's game.

Another recent development has been the jump shown by more than one line in the same game. During the losing streak, they bogged down frequently with one line going strong while others languished.

But with center Brandon Sutter emerging as a catalyst and center Matt Cullen directing another line, there seems to be new energy that can be carried throughout several shifts. The start-and-stop flow from line to line had been devastating for a few weeks.

During this time, the Hurricanes have learned about playing in front of goalie Manny Legace. There's much more to learn in this area, but there are signs that the transition, however temporary it might be, could take place without a major dropoff.

HURRICANES 3, LIGHTNING 1: The Hurricanes made this look almost routine, scoring the final three goals. The final one came from RW Chad LaRose, who hadn't scored this season. The Hurricanes played calmly with the puck and seemed much more at ease than at other times during the season. This game was played mostly at their pace, with alert defense a priority.

• The Hurricanes' franchise-record streak of games going into overtime ended at four when Saturday night's game against Tampa Bay was decided in regulation. Three of those four games advanced through overtime to shootouts, the Hurricanes winning two of those. The Hurricanes, who've been bashed by recent injuries, can't be hurt by limiting games to 60 minutes given the concerns about depth. "I think we played like we're capable of," RW Tuomo Ruutu said.

• LW Jussi Jokinen was the only Hurricane with a game-winning goal this season, including in shootouts, until RW Tuomo Ruutu registered one in a shootout Thursday vs. Toronto. But Jokinen was back with another game-winner Saturday night against Tampa Bay. He has the only two true game-winners (not counting unofficial winners posted in shootouts) on the team because the other three victories have come in shootouts.

Quote To Note:

"It was a good little change for him. You just hope that he gets one and gets a little confidence with his hands."

—Coach Paul Maurice on RW Chad LaRose scoring his first goal of the season in the team's 22nd game.

Goaltenders:

Manny Legace, Michael Leighton, Cam Ward (injured).

Defensemen:

Aaron Ward, Tim Gleason, Niclas Wallin, Andrew Alberts, Joe Corvo, Bryan Rodney.

First Line:

Ray Whitney, Brandon Sutter, Erik Cole.

Second Line:

Jussi Jokinen, Matt Cullen, Tuomo Ruutu.

Third Line:

Sergei Samsonov, Stephane Yelle, Chad LaRose.

Fourth Line:

Tom Kostopoulos, Rod Brind'Amour, Patrick Dwyer.

Player Notes:

• RW Tom Kostopoulos tied C Eric Staal, who has been out with an injury, for the team lead in penalty minutes when he was sent to the box for two minutes in the first period Saturday night. They both have compiled 34 penalty minutes this season.

• D Joni Pitkanen played in his 14th game this season Saturday night, returning to the lineup after another setback with his knee. He played more than 23 minutes in his first game back, the second-most amount of ice time on the team.

• D Bryan Rodney was sent back to Albany of the AHL after playing five games with the Hurricanes. His spot in the lineup was taken by the return of D Joni Pitkanen to the ice.

Medical Watch:

• RW Scott Walker (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 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. 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.

• D Eric Staal (upper body) sustained the injury Nov. 1 against the San Jose Sharks. He's considered out week-to-week and he has missed five games.

• LW Michael Ryan (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.