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Hurricanes-Flyers Preview

Oct 30, 2009 - 8:59 PM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Carolina (2-6-3) at Philadelphia (5-4-1), 1:00 p.m. EDT

Since moving from Hartford, Conn., in 1997, the Carolina Hurricanes have reached the playoffs five times and won the franchise's first Stanley Cup.

Early into this season, the Hurricanes are closing in on a more dubious record from their Whalers days, and they'll try to avoid their eighth straight loss Saturday afternoon against the host Philadelphia Flyers.

Carolina finished with 97 points in 2008-09, its second-most since relocating, but the Hurricanes (2-6-3) are well behind that pace this season as they're near the bottom of the NHL in goals scored and allowed.

They've been outscored 25-15 during an 0-4-3 skid and are on the verge of their longest losing streak since dropping eight in a row from Jan. 8-22, 2003. Another defeat would also leave them one shy of matching the franchise record of nine in a row set from Feb. 19-March 8, 1983.

"Right now, our confidence isn't there," forward Chad LaRose said. "When it's not going in for us, we're getting a little deflated. That can't be the case. There's no excuse for that."

After two weeks away from home, Carolina came out flat in Wednesday night's 5-2 loss to St. Louis. Cam Ward allowed three goals in the first 16:08, and the Hurricanes never got within two despite having a 36-18 shot advantage and six power-play opportunities.

"We're getting lots of chances, but they aren't going in. That's going to happen during the course of a year," said coach Paul Maurice, whose team is 0-4-2 on the road. "You can't break down defensively the way we did."

It could get a little tougher for the Hurricanes on Saturday as they could face Philadelphia's Ray Emery, who has never allowed a goal in three games against the Hurricanes. That includes a 2-0 victory Oct. 2 in North Carolina in the season opener for both teams.

Since helping Philadelphia open with three straight victories, Emery is 2-3-1 and has allowed three or more goals in four of those six starts. The Flyers fell 4-1 to San Jose on Sunday night in backup Brian Boucher's only appearance this season.

Emery couldn't hold on to a two-goal lead in the second period of Wednesday night's 4-2 loss at Washington.

"We can't be satisfied with what's going on," coach John Stevens said. "We got to start winning these tight games."

Before losing their second straight, the Flyers (5-4-1) lost veteran forward Simon Gagne indefinitely to two small hernias in his right groin. Gagne might undergo surgery, but Philadelphia could get center Blair Betts and defenseman Ryan Parent back Saturday.

They'll try to help the Flyers improve on their 9-0-3 record against Carolina dating to Dec. 31, 2006. Philadelphia is 3-0-2 versus the Hurricanes at home since March 28, 2007.

Both of Carolina's goaltenders have struggled against the Flyers, as Ward is 3-5-1 with a 3.23 GAA and Michael Leighton is 0-1-2 with a 2.87 GAA.

Philadelphia is 4-1-0 when scoring three or more goals but hasn't reached that plateau in four of the last six games.

Leading goal scorer Mike Richards has not scored since tallying six in the first five games, and last season's leader, Jeff Carter, is on a six-game drought.

Richards and Carter scored in the Flyers' win over Carolina earlier this month.