NHL

The Carolina Hurricanes had just started to get their first looks at Max Pacioretty(Patch-e-retty), who they hoped would become another needed scoring option for a Stanley Cup contender.  Now they look likely to be without him because of a significant injury, one that overshadowed Thursday’s win against Minnesota.  The winger went down with 19.3 seconds left in the 5-2 win against the Wild on a non-contact injury. Pacioretty was skating with the puck near the goal and the boards when he pulled up and grabbed at the back of his lower right leg.