Cam Ward Returns: Hurricanes at Thrashers, Game Day Preview

The Carolina Hurricanes, (31-35-9) start a very busy week of hockey as they are scheduled to play four games in the next six nights, starting with the Atlanta Thrashers, (33-30-12) tonight at Philips Arena.  Of course these two teams just met on Saturday night at the RBC and the Thrashers skated away with a fairly easy, 4-0 victory. 

Will the Canes come out with more fire tonight? 

They might be helped by the return of their Conn Smythe award winning goaltender, Cam Ward.  The franchise goalie has not played a game since February 3 when he tweaked his back against Calgary.  You can be sure that management will be keeping a watchful eye on Ward the remainder of the season.  According to his physician, there was only a 5% chance that the pain will return again. 

The rest of the Hurricanes lineup should be comprised of the same players as Saturday night, but coach Maurice started to change the lines around in the third period, so there is no telling how he might start things off in Atlanta.

This is one of those crazy games which is not scheduled to be televised by anyone.  Unless the Thrashers decide to stream it at the very last minute, you will not even be able to watch this on Center Ice. 

Obviously, this is not good for hockey fans in North Carolina or Atlanta, but it is what it is. 

Someday, regardless of rightsholders, scheduling conflicts,  or local availability, the league needs to set a mandate that every NHL game has to be televised, by someone.  This is a major league sport, is it not?

Chuck Kaiton will have the radio broadcast as always, on 99.9 The Fan and Mike Maniscalco will host the Stormfront beginning at 6:30.  

We will have the open game thread available at 6:30 and will be discussing the game throughout.