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Hurricanes recall Eddie Lack after successful conditioning stint

Carolina Hurricanes v Philadelphia Flyers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 15: Goalie Eddie Lack #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period at Wells Fargo Center on December 15, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

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The Carolina Hurricanes could be getting some help on the goaltending front as they prepare to start the second half of the 2016-17 NHL season.

The team announced on Sunday afternoon that goaltender Eddie Lack has been recalled from the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League after a successful two-game conditioning stint that saw him record a .952 save percentage in two games.

Lack has been sidelined since early November with a concussion that has cost him all but four games of the 2016-17 season, forcing the Hurricanes to rely on Cam Ward to play almost every night since then. At times, it has been a struggle for Ward.

The return of a healthy Lack will not only give the Hurricanes another legitimate starting option, but might also give them a bit of an upgrade to a position that badly needs one as they try to hang around in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Lack, who was just activated from injured reserve this past week, has a .910 save percentage in 120 NHL games over the past four seasons. His numbers, however, dropped significantly after being acquired in a trade by the Hurricanes before the start of the 2015-16 season (going from .917 with Vancouver to .896 during his first year with the Hurricanes). This season was supposed to be an opportunity for him to bounce back from that down year but his injury put those plans on hold.

He should now get an opportunity to change that in the second half.

The Hurricanes return to action in the second half on Tuesday when they take on the Philadelphia Flyers and look to end a five-game losing streak that has seen them allow 23 goals. They are currently seven points back of the Flyers for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with two games in hand. Obviously, their game on Tuesday is a significant one.