Canes' Cam Ward back on ice but doubtful for Jets game

Cam Ward was able to get in some work Monday before the Hurricanes’ practice but may not be available Tuesday for the game against the Winnipeg Jets.

Canes coach Bill Peters said defenseman Justin Faulk, out the past two games with a lower-body injury, would skate Tuesday morning and that a decision then made on whether he’ll play. Ward, Peters said, was “a little more doubtful.”

Faulk was injured in practice Thursday and missed the games against the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders. He has done some skating on his own but has not practiced.

Ward suffered a lower-body injury Saturday in the second period against the Islanders and was relieved by Eddie Lack, who will be the starter against the Jets. Ward was on the ice with goalie coach David Marcoux on Monday.

The Canes worked on the power play Monday before the full practice. They later went three-on-three and Peters liked what he saw of his three-man units, saying they needed to have more consisency.

Peters noted that the Canes had not been very good in shootouts the past two years — they’re 0-3 this season and were 5-7 last season — and said, “If we can end it in the five-minute three-on-three, that’s what we want to do.”

Peters was pleased with Monday’s workout, saying, “Real good energy, good execution, a real good pace to practice. That’s the way we want to play also — with good pace.”

The Canes (25-21-10) topped the Jets 5-3 on Feb. 5 in Winnipeg as Andrej Nestrasil had a pair of goals. Faulk also scored in that game.

After Sunday’s games, the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning held the two wildcard playoff spots in the Eastern Conference with 64 points. Carolina is four points back, one point behind the Penguins.

Peters said to remain a playoff contender, the Canes will need to raise their level of play even more.

“We do have more to give, too,” he said. “We can get better from here to the end of the year and that’s our plan. We can get better on specialty teams. Our power play can get better. We can become more consistent offensively.”

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 1:51 PM with the headline "Canes' Cam Ward back on ice but doubtful for Jets game."