Paul Branecky

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Instead of looking at yesterday’s shootout win over Tampa Bay as the end of a tough period for the team, Peter Laviolette and his team seem to be looking at is as a positive step in a longer process.

As important as it was to get a victory and end their three-game losing streak, the Canes still aren’t completely satisfied with their play and will look for even more tomorrow night against Montreal and through the rest of their upcoming home-heavy schedule.

”I thought the Atlanta game was a step in the right direction, I said at the time I think we’re capable of playing better,” said Laviolette.  “I thought last night we built on that and we added another level to the Atlanta game, but I still don’t think we’re at what we need to be.”
 
Specifically, Laviolette will be looking for more offensive output.  The Canes only generated one shot on goal in the third period against Tampa, while big-name forwards other than Rod Brind’Amour and Tuomo Ruutu have had trouble finding the score sheet in recent games.

As a team, the tricky part now for the Canes will be to hold on to the momentum from last game – with a two-goal comeback and the breaking of the shootout jinx, there should be plenty – and not fall back into the rut they were in last week.

“Obviously you want to keep building,” said Laviolette.  “I don’t know if you want to put do-or-die on the next game, it seems a little bit much, but certainly we want to build.”

In addition to taking the ice for a pre-practice workout like he did last week, Justin Williams stuck around for the first 15 minutes or so of regular practice, albeit in a gold non-contact jersey.  I don’t know how he felt, but he didn’t look out of place.

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