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BURNING QUESTION

How much will Chad LaRose be able to contribute as he plays his first game in almost two months?

CAROLINA

Eaves will miss 3 to 4 weeks

Patrick Eaves will undergo surgery this weekend to correct the shoulder problem that has kept him out of a total of eight games since he arrived on Feb. 11. Eaves is expected to miss three to four weeks. ... The Hurricanes are 11-1-2 in their past 14 home games. ... Cam Ward has started a career-high 15 straight games in goal, the most for a Carolina goalie since Kevin Weekes started 18 straight in 2003-04.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CHAD LAROSE, RW

LaRose, who broke the fibula in his left leg on Feb. 5, will return to action tonight with only one full-contact practice, at the RecZone on Thursday, under his belt. Before the injury, LaRose had seven goals and 10 assists in 53 games. He'll fill Patrick Eaves' spot on right wing with Trevor Letowski and Tuomo Ruutu.

ATLANTA

Thrashers playing for pride

The Thrashers went into Thursday's game against the Florida Panthers already eliminated from playoff contention. They had lost five straight and were 2-11-4 in their previous 17, including three losses to Carolina. ... Erik Christensen (knee) and Ken Klee (groin) are out. ... Going into Thursday's game, former Canes forward Mark Recchi had seven assists in the previous eight games but hadn't scored since Feb. 23.

TOBIAS ENSTROM, D

One of the few bright spots this season for the Thrashers, the rookie defenseman -- an eighth-round pick in the deep 2003 draft -- tied a franchise record for defensemen with his 38th point of the season Friday. He already had the record for assists with 33, three coming in seven games against the Canes.

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