WHERE: Philips Arena, Atlanta TV: FSN RADIO: WCMC-99.9

BURNING QUESTION

Can newcomers Sergei Samsonov, Tuomo Ruutu and Joe Corvo -- six goals among them in the past three games -- continue to fuel the Canes' offense?

CAROLINA

Road detour for hot Canes

The Canes look to take their success at home -- 8-1-1 in their past 10 -- on the road, where they are 3-5-0 in their past eight. ... Wing Ray Whitney ("leg") did not practice Tuesday and is unlikely to play. ... This road trip is a short one. The Canes host Minnesota on Thursday. ... In the nine games since Rod Brind'Amour was injured on Feb. 14, Eric Staal has four goals, nine assists and is plus-4.

ATLANTA

Ailing Thrashers could use a win

The Thrashers are 0-4-3 in their past seven after a 3-2 shootout loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday, although they have earned a point in three straight. ... After scoring seven goals in his first 13 games with Atlanta, former Hurricanes forward Mark Recchi has three in his past 25 games. ... Todd White (elbow), Ken Klee (groin) and Niclas Havelid (elbow) are all questionable.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

TUOMO RUUTU, LW

Ruutu has played all three forward positions since arriving a week ago at the trade deadline. With Whitney out, Ruutu has settled in at left wing with Staal and Erik Cole. In three games with the Canes, he has three points (one goal, two assists) and is plus-2, averaging 16:21 of ice time.

ILYA KOVALCHUK, RW

Only Washington's Alex Ovechkin has more goals than Kovalchuk's 42, but the defensive pairing of Tim Gleason and Bret Hedican has held him without a goal in the past two meetings. Kovalchuk has scored only twice in five meetings with the Canes this season. (He does have seven assists).

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