The Carolina Hurricanes learned before game time Friday that center Jordan Staal would not be in the lineup against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Hurricanes said Staal would miss the game for personal and family reasons. Defenseman Brett Pesce later went a step further in an interview with Fox Sports Carolinas, saying Staal and wife Heather were expecting the birth of a child.
Without Staal, the Canes couldn’t slow down the streaking Penguins, losing 6-1 at PNC Arena to extend their winless streak to four games.
In truth, with or without Staal, the Canes might have struggled against the Pens (36-23-4), who have won six straight and are 7-0-1 in their last eight games.