Turn the Page: Hurricanes-Avalanche Pregame Thoughts

The Colorado Avalanche will take on the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at the RBC at 7. Both teams are looking for a change in fortune as the Avs have lost 6 of their past 7 games and the Hurricanes have been a work in progress on home ice for the past month while losing 5 of their past 7 overall.

Both teams are suffering from injuries and their scoring has taken a hit as well. Both of these teams have only scored 5 times in their past 4 games. While the teams haven’t met in Carolina since the 2002-03 season, Colorado is riding an unbeaten streak of 14 straight games against Carolina. (including 3 ties).

Caniacs might want to keep an eye out for number 4 on the Avs, John-Michael Liles. He’s the “puck-moving” defenseman that so many seem to be wanting to don the sightless eye of the Hurricane.

In news that is beyond absurd, Brandon Nolan has once again been recalled back to Raleigh, just 1 day after being returned to Albany. Illness or not, someone is doing a very poor job of planning for the parent club.

Is it too difficult to at least keep the poor kid here until you know for sure he isn’t needed anymore? How well can anyone be expected to play after they have spent day after day in airports traveling? Once or twice adrenaline kicks in, but after awhile I’m sure it’s tiring and monotonous.

Tim Conboy is joining Nolan on his trip this time around.

Of course the recalls are coming because the “black plague” that’s going through the Carolina dressing room isn’t letting go. Glen Wesley and Wade Brookbank were back on the ice this morning, but Wesley will not play. Ray Whitney and Trevor Letowski were both still out.

It’s been reported that Cam Ward will be in goal for the Canes tonight. At the morning skate, the lines looked something like this:

• Staal-Ladd-Stillman
• Brind’Amour-Samsonov-Cole
• Aucoin-Adams-LaRose
• Hamilton-Brookbank-(Nolan)

The first goal scored in this contest will be crucial, even more so than usual. The game already is nearly sellout, so if you need tickets get there early. There is no local TV broadcast.

Will the scorers finally break through? Both teams are desperate for a win, but who wants it the most?