"The Canes are headed West and they'll be taking a few extra bodies along.

Chad LaRose, out the past two games with flu-like symptoms, was at practice today at the RBC Center. LaRose is ready to rejoin the lineup, but Canes coach Kirk Muller said an extra forward likely would be on the three-game trip to Anaheim, Colorado and Montreal.

The Canes also have an extra defenseman. Derek Joslin has been a healthy scratch the past two games with the return of Jaroslav Spacek.

Muller said goalie Cam Ward, who has started the past 11 games, likely would be in net for all three road games and should have a heavy workload the rest of the season. Backup Justin Peters has not played since Jan. 7 in Nashville."