RALEIGH -- Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal has taken a personal leave of absence after the death of his wife's sister in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Tanya Staal's sister, Tamara Stephenson, died Tuesday of cancer. Stephenson was 26.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Tanya and Eric during this difficult time for their family," Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said.
Coach Paul Maurice said he was not sure when Staal would return. The Hurricanes visit Nashville tonight and will bring up a forward from the Albany Rivers Rats of the American Hockey League.
"He's taken his family home to be with them," Maurice said of Staal. "It's a very, very difficult time. It has been something that the family has been going through."
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Ryan O'Reilly scored on a slap shot with 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime and Jean-Sebastien Giguere stopped a season-high 39 shots in the Colorado Avalanche's 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night. 
Ryan O'Reilly scored on a slap shot with 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime and Jean-Sebastien Giguere stopped a season-high 39 shots in the Colorado Avalanche's 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night. The Hurricanes got goals from Tim Brent, Jiri Tlusty and Eric Staal. 
Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said Thursday he has met with forward Tuomo Ruutu to discuss Ruutu's future with the team, and said a decision should be reached next week. 
Anthony Stewart is still a member of the Carolina Hurricanes. 
Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes won the Calder Trophy last year as the NHL's best rookie. 
The Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Anthony Stewart to a two-year free-agent contract after last season, hoping he could help make up for the loss of Erik Cole. 
Jeff Skinner's hard-working goal barely three minutes into the third period pushed the Carolina Hurricanes ahead, and they held on for the 2-1 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 18,680. 
Jeff Skinner's goal early in the third period was the difference as the Carolina Hurricanes rallied Saturday to top the L.A. Kings 2-1 at the RBC Center. 
The Carolina Hurricanes realize the importance of time. In a 3-0 victory Thursday over the Boston Bruins, the Canes shortened their playing shifts on the ice and were the fresher team over the full 60 minutes. 
Sweeping the defending Stanley Cup champions is nice, but the Carolina Hurricanes would trade all four wins for a better spot in the standings. Keep up with the latest sports stories with our free e-mail newsletters, delivered to your inbox!
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