Maurice: 'I'm comfortable with where we're at'

Is Canes coach Paul Maurice comfortable with the look and feel of his team after playing just four exhibition games? As comfortable as he can be, Maurice said Monday, four days before the season begins. "I'm not sure we'd have been more comfortable if we had played nine exhibition games," he said. "The only thing left is the standard anxiety that goes with the week before the season starts. I'm comfortable with where we're at now." The Canes dropped the first two preseason games with some generally sloppy play. But Maurice had a more veteran lineup in for the last two and Carolina beat Atlanta 4-3 and then won 5-2 Saturday in Nashville. The Canes had better focus in the last two, Maurice said. There was more buzz on the bench and better communication. Cam Ward and Michael Leighton each won games in net. Eric Staal looked strong. The defense was better. "I think we've accomplished what we had hoped to through camp," Mau...