Hurricanes at Flames
THE STORY: Two teams already slipping out of their respective playoff races meet Tuesday when the Calgary Flames entertain the Carolina Hurricanes. The Flames are coming off an ugly 5-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, dropping the club four games below .500. Calgary played a solid first period but fell apart over the final two periods against the defending Western Conference champions. The Flames find themselves six points out of eighth place in the West entering Tuesday. Carolina is even worse off, nine points out of the playoff picture after a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Pittsburgh on Saturday extended their skid to six games. The Hurricanes still haven't earned a victory under new coach Kirk Muller, who is 0-3-0. Tuesday marks the opener of a four-game road trip for the Hurricanes, who are a conference-worst 3-7-2 away from Raleigh.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Carolina, Rogers Sportsnet West
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (8-16-4): Muller has preached patience to his players since taking over last week - and isn't about to deviate from the plan. "The situation takes a little bit to bounce back from," he said. "They're trying and they haven't gotten any breaks." Muller's focus has been on the defensive end, where Carolina has struggled mightily this season. The club showed progress against the Penguins, but surrendered 19 shots in the pivotal third period.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (11-13-2): Calgary opens a three-game homestand Tuesday, and goes into it knowing victories will be critical. The Flames will be shooed out of town for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships beginning at the end of the month, and will play 11 out of 13 games away from Calgary during their most difficult stretch of the year. The Flames continue to operate without three regulars on defense, including Mark Giordano (hamstring, out indefinitely).
OVERTIME:
1. Calgary recalled goaltender Leland Irving from the American Hockey League on Monday. He'll back up Miikka Kiprusoff after regular No. 2 Henrik Karlsson suffered a sprained MCL on Sunday.
2. Calgary is 3-1-1 against Carolina since the lockout. The Hurricanes won a wild 6-5 shootout decision in their previous encounter back on Jan. 11.
3. Carolina netminder Cam Ward, who played his junior hockey not far from Calgary, is 2-2-0 with a 3.20 goals-against average in four career games against the Flames.