Hurricanes @ Panthers: Open Game Thread

Today's updates (since we didn't have a separate game preview):

Joni Pitkanen (who left during last night's game, lower body) and Tim Brent (did not play last night, lower body) did not make the trip.

Chad LaRose, who did play, was held out from the trip to Florida and is being evaluated for concussion-like symptoms.

Brett Sutter has been recalled from the Checkers (news release). In other Checkers news, two big injury situations as Andreas Nodl is out for the season and Zac Dalpe will miss "significant" time (article).

No definitive statement as to who is in net. John Forslund (twitter) said this morning that Ellis was likely, but tweeted just a few minutes ago that Ellis may be ill and Cam Ward may be back in net. Appears to be game time decision. Should Ellis start, he's 4-1-2 with a 2.23 GAA in eight starts against the Panthers.

The Panthers (twitter) have recalled goaltender Jacob Markstrom and defenseman Nolan Yonkman from the San Antonio Rampage to replace Jose Theodore and Dmitry Kulikov, who were injured in last night's game.

Last but not least, С днём рождения! to Alex Semin who turns 29 today :)