Keep getting better: Hurricanes at Lightning Preview

Game Sixty-Five: Carolina Hurricanes (41-18-6) at Tampa Bay Lightning (40-20-4)

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Location: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, whose origins as a city date back to 1824 with the founding of Fort Brooke (yes, that’s what the parking garage is named after)

TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, FDSNSO, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning -135

Know the Opponents: Canes Country

The Tampa Bay Lightning picked up a win against Detroit on Thursday, and while they were far from perfect, their play was much better than a week ago. Now, as they end their home stand, they just need to take another step forward.

At this point in the season, it’s all about building towards the playoffs. Wins are great (especially since they haven’t clinched a spot yet) but it’s more so getting into the habits that will be successful in the playoffs. Carolina should provide a good test for that.

The Eastern Conference leaders always play with a lot of pressure on their opponents. From their forecheck to their man-to-man coverage in the defensive zone, the Hurricanes are always in the other team’s face. That should provide a nice test for the Bolts as they continue to work on the little things in their game.

Getting the puck out of the zone cleanly and with control is going to be paramount tonight. The Bolts have to make quick and correct decisions or else they’re going to be pinned back all night long. If they can break the forecheck with quick accurate passes, they can dictate the pace of play and keep the Hurricanes chasing the puck.

Carolina has been giving up some goals as of late. They haven’t allowed a ton of chances, but Brandon Bussi and Frederick Andersen have regressed a bit when it comes to keeping the puck out of the net. The Bolts forwards, especially the top line, need to put some picks on net and test the goaltending.

It looks like Nick Paul and Erik Cernak will be back in the line-up, so for the first time in a long time, the Bolts are pretty much healthy. This is as close to the line-up they built over the summer as they’ve rolled out all year. A fourth line of Nick Paul, Corey Perry, and Oliver Bjorkstrand will be an intriguing trio to keep an eye on as they are hard-working defensively, a pain to play against, and have enough offensive talent to keep an opponent honest.

[Note: Santini was recalled Saturday morning, so it’s possible Declan Carlile isn’t quite ready to go.]

These two teams have provided quite a bit of entertainment in their previous two meet-ups and there is no reason to expect anything less tonight. Perhaps, just maybe, the Bolts don’t decide to go down 3-0 before finding their offense.

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

Forwards:

Defense:

Goaltenders:

Carolina Hurricanes

Forwards:

Defense:

Goaltenders: