Hurricanes sticking with Ward aganist Flyers
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes found something that worked and they're sticking with it.
So Cam Ward will be the goalie for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers at PNC Arena.
"If you win, you stay in right now," Carolina coach Bill Peters said, referring to Friday night's stirring 3-2 victory against the New York Rangers in the home opener.
Peters said the decision to stay with Ward made for an easy answer to questions amid an opening stretch when the Hurricanes (2-3-2) haven't had a lot of answers.
Ward said he would like to be part of the solution, but he said he knows he needs more performances like Friday night's in order to have regular opportunities.
"Nobody needs to tell me I have to step up," Ward said.
The Flyers are in search of consistency as well and they enter this matchup fresh off Saturday night's 5-4 home loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Yet there were elements of the performance that the Flyers would like to carry into the next game less than 24 hours later.
"That's the blueprint right there," Philadelphia coach Dave Hakstol said. "(It) just wasn't enough. We're looking for two points."
Philadelphia's goalie situation might be less clear considering both netminders played Saturday. Steve Mason started and, after giving up three first-period goals, was replaced by Michal Neuvirth.
"You probably need a save there on one of them," Hakstol said of the first-period situation without a hint about who's in net for the next game.
After the Hurricanes began the season with six consecutive road games, they have some make-up work to do.
"I think we learned from our past games," Ward said.
Hurricanes center Jeff Skinner is coming off a three-point game (two goals, one assist). He had been dealing with a "middle-body" injury, but he seemed to have worked through that. He also wore the "A" for the first time at home.
Carolina left winger Bryan Bickell's deflection resulted in the game-winning goal against the Rangers.
"We need to carry this momentum into Sunday," Bickell said.
Jakub Voracek is coming off a two-goal game for the Flyers, while Claude Giroux also scored Saturday night to take an eight-game points streak to Carolina.
The Flyers (3-5-1), who'll play their fifth game in seven days, have given up at least three goals in each of the previous four games.
The Flyers defeated the Hurricanes 6-3 on Oct. 22 in Philadelphia. That marked the season-high goal total for the Flyers.
Philadelphia will be the first repeat opponent for the Hurricanes this season. These teams will play three more times, but not again until Jan. 31.
Sunday's game is the first of a six-game stretch with four road games for the Flyers.
Carolina assistant coach Rod Brind'Amour was back in Philadelphia on Thursday night as part of the Flyers' celebration for the franchise's 50-year anniversary. He's a former Flyers player.
