Rink report

Games in the spotlight

Carolina Hurricanes at Florida Panthers ( Friday): The Hurricanes chase a franchise- record ninth consecutive victory.

Martin Gerber made 41 saves Wednesday night in a victory against the Buffalo Sabres. Erik Cole

and Eric Staal propel the offense.

Minnesota Wild at Detroit Red Wings ( Friday): The league- leading Red Wings aim for their third win in a row after a two- game skid. Players in the spotlight

Simon

Gagne. With 16 goals, the Philadelphia Flyers forward is on pace to eclipse the franchise season mark. At his current rate, he would score 101 goals, easily surpassing the 61 by Reggie Leach in the 1975- 76 season. “I haven’t thought about it really,” Gagne said after the Flyers’ practice Wednesday. “ I was looking to have a good year and that’s still my goal. Right now, it’s a little bit higher than I expected.” His career high is 33 goals in a season. “ We’re going to try to give our best and keep it going,” he said. “ But it’s only been 13 games so it’s still pretty early.”

Erik Cole: The Carolina Hurricanes left wing became the ? rst NHL player to be awarded two penalty shots in one game. He scored in the ? rst, Wednesday vs. the Buffalo Sabres, helping Carolina to a 5- 3 win and a franchise- best eighth consecutive victory. Around the rinks: The Atlanta Thrashers recalled G Adam Berkhoel from Chicago of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. . . . The Pittsburgh Penguins still don’t know how long F John LeClair will be out. He broke several bones in his right cheekbone after being stru ck b y a pu ck j u st b elow h is right eye during Saturday’s pregame skate in Boston. . . . The St. Lou is B lues h ave lost a f ranchiserecord nine in a row. “ We’ve hit rock bottom,” Blues forward Mike Sillinger said. “We have a team that’s been struggling here for the last 10 or 12 games. ... The easy thing to do now is obviously to start pointing ? ngers. I think everybody ju st n eeds to take a d eep breath and look at themselves.” From staff and wire reports