Hurricanes-Thrashers: Pre-Game

After having the luxury of a few days off, the Carolina Hurricanes begin a busy spell and have to play 3 games in the next 4 nights, starting with the first one tonight in Atlanta.

Speaking of Atlanta, doesn’t anyone want to play for them anymore? Heatley wanted out. Hossa wanted out. Perhaps several of the remaining Thrashers want out of town as well. Yesterday, Atlanta associate head coach Brad McCrimmon got so angry he kicked the team off the ice, ending practice early. The players didn’t get to leave the rink though before hearing an expletive filled tirade first.

These are not happy days for the Thrashers or their fans. The fragile team, whose record is 0-4-3 in their past 7 games, will be going up against a hot Hurricanes team whose record is 7-2-1 in their last 10. Carolina can effectively end Atlanta’s slim chances of making the playoffs with a win tonight and could put the team and city out of their obvious, collective misery.

The Thrashers have only won 15 games in regulation all year long, but Atlanta knows how important the game is tonight and could react like a cornered animal, fighting for it’s life. On the other hand, they could have mentally given up on this season a few games or practices ago. It’s more important than usual for the Hurricanes to get an early lead, so that they can keep the Thrashers from gaining any momentum or hope.

LSB is reporting that Ray Whitney is still injured and will not play. The lines will start out as following…..

• Staal-Cole-Ruutu
• Cullen-Samsonov-Eaves
• Aucoin-Walker-Bayda
• Letowski-Brookbank-Conboy
• Hedican-Gleason
• Wesley-Wallin
• Kaberle-Corvo

Cam Ward will be between the pipes again. Game time is at 7 with pre-game starting at 6:30. The game will be broadcast locally by FSN.

The Animals