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Staal's game sparked by Canes' coaching change

By Jim Wilkie

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Fantasy owners of Hurricanes center Eric Staal can thank GM Jim Rutherford for firing Peter Laviolette earlier this month because that seems to have helped the 24-year-old finally perform up to expectations. Staal's two power-play goals in Carolina's 3-2 victory over Montreal on Tuesday night gave him five goals, two assists and a plus-5 rating in the six games since Paul Maurice took over for Laviolette on Dec. 3. Staal's slow start has left him on pace for 53 points, which would be his worst ...

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