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Hurricanes begin life without Brind'Amour

Feb 16, 2008 - 1:17 PM Florida (27-27-6) at Carolina (29-27-4) 7:00 pm EST

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) - The Carolina Hurricanes begin life without captain Rod Brind'Amour on Saturday when they host the Florida Panthers.

Brind'Amour suffered a torn ACL early in the first period of Thursday's 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins and is out for the remainder of the season.

The 37-year-old center, who had 19 goals and a team-leading 51 points in 58 games this season, underwent reconstructive left knee surgery Friday and is expected to be sidelined four to six months.

The Panthers could use all the help they can get, having lost 12 straight road contests against Carolina.

But, Florida is coming off a crucial 4-2 victory against the Washington Capitals on Friday. Kamil Kreps snapped a tie 8 1/2 minutes into the third period and All-Star Tomas Vokoun made 30 saves to lead the Panthers.

"It was huge because it was a four-point game," Kreps said. "The division is so tight, it's (a few) points between first place and last place."

Carolina and the Atlanta Thrashers share the top spot in the Southeast Division with 62 points while both the Panthers and Washington Capitals sit just two points back.