Eye on the Hurricanes

CAROLINA AT FLORIDA, 7:30 P.M. TODAY

WHERE: BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, Fla. TV: FSCAR RADIO: WCMC-99.9

BURNING QUESTION

Do Canes quickly get back to winning again, or start to slide?

CAROLINA

Canes must move on

The Hurricanes didn't have long to dwell on Sunday's 5-2 stinker against Nashville, quickly boarding a flight to South Florida.

And the injury status of defenseman Tim Gleason (leg) and forward Patrick Eaves (arm, shoulder) is an immediate concern.

"We have to play hard right from the start," forward Scott Walker said. "These games are too important to wait to play 10 minutes here, 20 minutes there. Guys have to realize this is a very important time of the year."

FLORIDA

Panthers could shake up team

Trade speculation and talk of a team shakeup continue for slumping Florida.

On the block apparently is defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season and has turned down several contract offers from the team.

General manager Jacques Martin told The Miami Herald that the slumping Panthers are looking at any number of moves, noting, "We need better performances."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

JONI PITKANEN, D

The big defenseman missed eight games with a knee injury but has five assists in six games since his return. Pitkanen, who adds another offensive threat to the lineup, had three assists against Phoenix on Friday but can play better defensively.

DAVID BOOTH, F

While the Panthers have been struggling, playing eight of the past 10 games on the road, Booth has been surging. He has scored six of his team-leading nine goals in the past nine games. Booth had a goal and assist in the 6-4 loss at Carolina in the opener.