The Blue Jackets have struggled since a quick start to the
season. The Hurricanes have been nothing but ice cold all year long.
Carolina tries again to snap the longest losing streak in club history this
evening in a road clash with Columbus at Nationwide Arena.
The Hurricanes, who reached the Eastern Conference finals a season ago, are
just 2-10-3 on the year and have lost 11 straight, going 0-8-3 in that span.
Last night, they squared off with a Toronto club that had just one win in 13
games and even took an early 2-0 lead thanks to first-period goals by Sergei
Samsonov and Brandon Sutter. However, the Maple Leafs scored twice in the
second frame and got the game-winner in the third to hand the Hurricanes a 3-2
loss. Cam Ward stopped 23 shots in defeat.
"We've got people that we're counting on to come through in certain
situations," said Carolina coach Paul Maurice. "I think the puck hasn't been
easy for them to manage and they're struggling with the puck a little bit,
there's no question about that. But there are no options, you just have to
persevere in these times."
The 'Canes played without Eric Staal and Ray Whitney due to upper-body
injuries, and scored two goals or less for the 12th time in 15 games this
year.
Carolina has yet to post a road win in 2009-10, going 0-6-2.
The Blue Jackets have gotten some hot play from Raffi Torres, as they look to
get back on track. Torres had his second two-goal game in three contests on
Thursday, a 4-3 triumph over Atlanta that was just Columbus' third win in nine
games (3-4-2) after a 5-1-0 start.
Torres had 12 goals in 51 games last year and already has eight in 15 contest
this season.
Derick Brassard and Jakub Voracek each had a goal and an assist for the Blue
Jackets, while Mathieu Garon made 32 saves in the victory.
"It's a big road win for us," said Garon. "I think in the last stretch we've
managed to get six points out of eight, which is pretty good. I think we feel
good now. Going back home we know we can play a little better and get some
points."
Columbus plays the first of four in a row at home tonight. The club won its
first three games at Nationwide Arena this year, but has dropped its last
three (0-1-2) as the host.
Already without Kristian Huselius due to an upper-body injury that landed him
on injured reserve Thursday, Columbus saw Derek Dorsett leave the Thrasher
game due to a knee injury. He is questionable for tonight, as is Mike
Commodore, who has missed the last two games with a charley horse.
Columbus notched a 5-1 road win over Carolina last year for its second
straight win over the club. The two teams have split four meetings at
Nationwide Arena.
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