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The Hurricanes have gone beyond "free fall mode" they're fully engulfed.

 A fourth straight loss at Madison Square Garden and another slide into the abyss with a collapse that saw the once tied game break wide open in a span of seconds with Rangers goals. (Goals 2 and 3 for NYR were 9 seconds apart)

When things go bad for the Hurricanes, they go really bad. Once goals two and three were scored, it was as if they stopped skating and they lost all will to fight.

The Canes don't have time to fix anything as they'll face the Pittsburgh Penguins at the RBC Center on Saturday night.

The calls for Paul Maurice's ouster get louder on every loss.

Game Notes:

• Canes were outshot 40-35 in the game.
• Canes were 53% on their faceoffs with Brandon Sutter at 72%.
• Jussi Jokinen returned to the lineup
• Zac Dalpe was a healthy scratch with Derek Joslin

Video Highlights from the game

Discuss the mounting frustration with Paul Maurice in the OH MO! thread.

The Canes are off the road and back at home in long stretches heading into November, mark your calendars for the games of course, and events coming up. A whole lot of home cooking Caniacs!

Add these to your planners/schedules:

Tuesday, Oct 25- Canes vs Senators,  7pm RBC Center - It's also Hockey Fights Cancer Night at the RBC Center, always a GREAT event; players will wear HFC decals on helmets, the coaches will the HFC signature tie (all HFC gear on sale at the Eye) and special auctions  at the Kids N Community kiosk outside section 129, special baskets by players wives and significant others; all proceeds will go to several cancer organizations in the community.

Wednesday Oct 26 - Canes Full Season Ticket Holder Party 5pm RBC Center - Check your email for details & event specifics!

Friday, Oct 28- Canes vs Blackhawks, 7pm RBC Center; it's Family Night & the Canes host a lawn party  It's also Holiday Puck Night (Halloween) pick up your puck at the Kids N Community Kiosk.

Tuesday, Nov 1, - Canes vs Lightning, 7pm RBC Center - It's also Kids N Community Foundation Night at the RBC Center

Friday, Nov 4, - Canes vs Capitals, 7pm RBC Center

Sunday, Nov 6, Canes vs Stars, 1:30pm RBC Center - A front lawn party at the RBC Center, w/ inflatables for the kids & live music for all. You'll also receive a Brandon Sutter Wall Cling at the door. Also, It's Family Day! $1.00 hot dogs all day. Post game, it's Slap Shot Sunday for kids 16 and under; head to the promotions kiosk outside section 108/109.

Canes Cool BarsTour  fires back up November 8th for the Canes vs Devils game 7:30pm  at the Carolina Ale House in Cary

Get your tickets for any of the home games by clicking here

A very busy month ahead, more updates in the coming days & weeks.

 See you at the rink!

The NHL season is not even a week old, and the Canes have played all of 3 games, but there is no doubt concern is everywhere. Slow starts, a lack luster powerplay, "the lines", 9 defenseman on the roster. Have I missed anything?

Wednesday night, the Canes take on the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins, who some say may be feeling the ol' Cup Hangover. The Canes meanwhile, are just trying to get their first win. After the sluggish effort in New Jersey on Monday after a really strong effort in Washington on Saturday, not many can say they have a good read on the team. There is a whole lot of antsy in Caniac Nation.

It's 4 games in. There's time to correct things and move in the right direction. Fans have to think the Canes aren't far from their first win.

If you're headed to the RBC Center Wednesday night,  a couple of notes:

-This is a nationally televised game on Versus with a different start time. Puck drop at 7:38, doors open at 6:30 instead of the usual 6pm.

-Hurricanes wives & girlfriends will continue the league wide effort to support the families of those lost in the Lokomotiv tragedy,  with bracelet sales on the concourse before the game. Bracelets are $10 and are for such a great cause.

Notes around the rink:

From our friend Bob Wage at Canes Country blog- a timely analysis on the Canes and all these penalties.

From The Sporting News: Justin Faulk in early season learning curve

Former Hurricane tough guy and fan favorite, Troy Bodie is looking for a job in the NHL after being released from his tryout with Winnepeg

While things aren't starting off the way fans want them to, we can honestly still say "it's early" and "there's time". Platitudes? Yes/Maybe. But there is time Caniacs. As the saying goes, and we might all have to make this our daily meditation when it comes to the Canes: "Keep Calm & Carry On."

Catch the game vs Boston on Versus, or via radio on 99.9 The Fan and join us on the main board in the Game Day Thread.

See ya at the rink!

Has it been six hole months since hockey has been played in Raleigh? Wait no more Caniacs it's time for Canes hockey right here at the RBC Center.

The temperatures are fall like in the Triangle, it's been in the 70's for over a week- Game Day on Friday promises to be in the mid-70's and you know the menus have been planned, the beverages purchased, and all the requisite tailgate gear will be packed in the cars and it'll be an early exit from offices all around town if folks haven't already designated it a vacation day. East lot or West? What's on your menu? They're talking about it in the Hurricanes thread.

The League kicks off the season tonight with the Boston Bruins & Philadelphia Flyers and the Bruins banner raising ceremony to start the season; On CBC you'll see the Habs visit Toronto, and the late night game has the Penguins visiting Stanley Cup runner up Vancouver Canucks. Hockey is BACK.

The Canes kick the season off the way they ended it, playing the Tampa Bay Lighting. Much has been said about that final game and the subsequent loss that dashed any chances for the Canes to make the playoffs, on their return to Raleigh, many of the player have spoken about the "bad taste" in their mouths and getting off to a good start. Fans are looking for a better than the preseason 1-5-1 record; and many are wondering about the chemistry or perceived lack thereof with this year's Hurricanes. The 23 man roster was announced on Wednesday, with both Ryan Murphy and the incredible Justin Faulk both making the cut. We'll see if Murphy stays beyond the 9 games allowed before they have to decide to return him to his junior team or keep him here for the year. It's crystal clear that Faulk is going nowhere. He's done everything and more, to make his case. But clearly there is a log jam at defense, with 9 guys on the roster who play D. Three will sit on Friday night- including Murphy, along with Derek Joslin & Jamie McBain.  Stay tuned on what's next on that front.

The more concerning part for fans, is the line combinations, the lack of scoring in the preseason, and a general feeling that it's not quite "clicking". It's through all forward lines. This can all be fixed of course once they play the games. Here's to a GOOD 2011-2012 season for the Canes.

News & Notes:

- Check out Hurricanesbeat.com a site full of in depth articles on the Canes.  

- If you're headed to the home opener, there will be lots of activities  at the RBC Center including the Lawn Party and a pregame ceremony to honor Hurricanes family members that were lost during the off season. Jeff O'Neill will be in town and signing autographs on the concourse, and much more. See you there!

If you're heading to the RBC Center to tailgate - tweet us your pix @ lgc_com and we'll post them here on the front page!

Training camp is now officially over bet many questions remain about the 2011-2012 Hurricanes, with  a few players still on the roster like 2011 first rounder, Ryan Murphy and other super defenseman rookie Justin Faulk. Faulk and Murphy are giving the coaches a lot to think about. Many are still trying to determine if Murphy is here to stay or be returned back to Kitchner. With Faulk getting rave reviews like this piece in the Canes Now Blog comparing Faulk to Skinner, just adds to the excitement for the Canes future, but also makes you wonder if the future is NOW.

Another cause for chatter is the 1-4-1 preseason record for the Canes. No need to panic is what many will say in quiet or not so quiet; but there are concerns in Caniac Land. Namely the lack of scoring, and the inability to close out games when playing with a lead. There are some things that certainly have to be worked out before opening night against Tampa, but it may be this year's Canes are a big work in progress. Nobody wants to hear that for sure, but there are things that need correcting, and chemistry needs to build.

All of this can of course, work itself out. We have a whole season to figure it out/work it out right?

On the news beat:

It's Media Madness for the Hurricanes. If you don't follow @MikeSundheim on Twitter you should- Canes players will make their annual rounds to the various radio stations to talk up the season opener. All the details here.

Many Caniacs are already deep in the planning stages of opening night tailgating. What are your plans? Have you taken the day off? Do you have a spot in the East Lot or West Lot for tailgating? Tweet us your pix on @lgc_com Twitter, or come in and talk about your plans in the forums in the Opening Day/Night Tailgate plans/Menus thread.

There's always plenty to chat about on all of the forums, come discuss all things Canes inside.

Stay tuned for more Game Day previews, analysis and notes about the Canes 2011-12 season and all things hockey.