BLUES SPOIL KLESLA'S DEBUT

Carolina

After playing a solid 4 minutes, newcomer Rostislav Klesla was forced to leave the game after suffering a mild ankle sprain. Klesla, who left registering one shot in that time, did look good on the top line. Actually, the Canes were looking good as a whole at that point, winning 1-0 and then the roof caved in.

"When Klesla went down, we had to shift some things around," said head coach Joel Quenneville. "With two extra defensemen dressed, we had options, but the guys ended up scrambling around too much. I think we lost our composure right then and there and we simply never recovered."

Klesla had been playing with defensive partner Jay McKee and the duo had been a thorn in the side of the Blues early. Once Klesla went down, the Blues seemed to turn into a vicious pack of dogs.

"We needed to keep the intensity we had early,"said captain Shane Doan. "Whatever the reason, the guys took the injury to Klesla personally and ended up playing dumb hockey, me included. This type of crap cannot continue. We need to regain our focus because right now, we are not playing good hockey."

The Canes only goal came off the stick of their captain who was on a line with slick center Kyle Wellwood. Brendan Bell also registered an assist.

"Lines got juggled after the trade," said Wellwood. "It was a game time decision to switch everything up when the idiot gm forgot to send lines to Quenneville. We struggled tonight, no other excuses though."

The Canes have tomorrow off, luckily, as Darcy Tucker, gritty right winger, went down late in the game. Sources say his injury may be relatively serious. He is going to be re-evaluated tonight.