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Islanders-Hurricanes Preview

Nov 12, 2009 - 8:17 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

New York (6-6-6) at Carolina (2-12-3), 7:00 p.m. EDT

Losing the first six games of the season was a trying experience for the young New York Islanders, but it was nothing compared with what the Carolina Hurricanes are currently going through.

The depleted Hurricanes will try again to snap the longest losing streak in franchise history as the Islanders visit Raleigh, N.C., on Friday night.

After reaching the Eastern Conference finals last season, Carolina (2-12-3) has quickly fallen to the bottom of the NHL, and a turnaround won't be easy as top forward Eric Staal and workhorse goalie Cam Ward remain out due to injuries.

The Hurricanes played a game without both players for the first time since March 19, 2004 on Wednesday night, losing 5-2 at home to the Los Angeles Kings - the 13th straight defeat and seventh in a row in regulation for the sputtering club.

Carolina has not won since Oct. 9, and it has not scored more than two goals in a game since Oct. 23, totaling 12 goals in its last eight contests. The team was outshot 13-2 in the first period of Wednesday's loss, going 18 minutes at one point without a shot on goal.

"We've got to keep our heads high and everybody's ticked off, but that's the business," defenseman Tim Gleason told the Hurricanes' official Web site. "I keep going back to character. I know times are tough and guys want to play better. Guys are looking at themselves in the mirror."

The game was the team's first with newcomer Manny Legace in net after Carolina signed the veteran to help replace Ward, who will likely miss several weeks after his leg was cut by a skate in Saturday's 3-2 loss at Columbus.

Legace, who had been out of the NHL following a difficult 2008-09 season, stopped 26 of 30 shots versus the Kings but allowed two goals in a four-minute stretch midway through the third period after Tuomo Ruutu had scored twice to tie the game.

Coach Paul Maurice was still somewhat happy with his team's effort late in the game, if not earlier.

"We have to fight like the last 20 minutes for 60, and then harder, and then some," Maurice said. "We're just not willing or seem like (the players) fully appreciate, when you're undermanned, exactly how hard you have to fight."

The Islanders' visit could present a chance for Carolina to end its skid, if only because New York is 1-4-4 on the road.

But after its 0-3-3 start overall, the team looks to be improving on the heels of a 5-2-1 stretch. Trent Hunter's power-play goal in the final minutes of regulation helped New York (6-6-6) earn a point in a 5-4 shootout loss at Washington on Wednesday.

"That third period was huge for us," Islanders coach Scott Gordon said. "To be able to draw the penalties against a team that prides themselves on their third periods, it was good to see us come back and have that power play come up big."

Hunter scored in his first game since Oct. 8 following a torn pectoral muscle, and rookie John Tavares set up the equalizer with his team-high ninth assist. Newcomer Matt Moulson, one of 10 Islanders forwards age 26 or younger, also scored his team-leading eighth goal.

New York was playing without 2006 first-round draft pick Kyle Okposo, who missed the game due to the H1N1 virus.

The Islanders had lost four straight to Carolina before a 4-3 shootout win at home on Oct. 21. New York goalie Dwayne Roloson stopped 35 shots in the victory.