Game #21: Tampa Bay Lightning (9-6-5) at Carolina Hurricanes (11-7-0)
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Location: PNC Arena
Broadcast/Streaming: BSSUN, ESPN+, BSSO
Opponent’s Site: Category Five Hockey
Preview
We held the presses here at Raw Charge central until the Lightning took their morning skate in Raleigh for one simple reason – Andrei Vasilevskiy. With Matt Tomkins on waivers and Coach Cooper acknowledging that Vasilevskiy would likely start on this road trip, it was only a matter of time until the Big Cat stepped between the pipes for the first time this season.
It appears tonight will be the night.
If nothing else, he should get plenty of work against the Corsi Kings of the NHL. As usual, Carolina is leading the league in shot attempts so he should see plenty of action tonight.
It will be the third match-up against the Hurricanes already this season (starting to feel like the old Southeast Division days) and the two teams traded shutouts. First it was Jonas Johansson posting the O in the goals against column in a Lightning 3-0 victory at the end of October. Pyotr Kochetkov returned the favor two later as the Bolts stumbled in a 4-0 loss. Both of those games were in Tampa, and now the series shifts to Raleigh
The ‘Canes have been really, really good at home as they’ve posted a 6-1 record and are allowing just 1.79 GA/60. They have just absolutely dominated puck possession in their own arena, allowing 23.10 scoring chances against per night, the fourth stingiest amount in the league. Meanwhile they are generating 34.02 SCG/60 which is second in the league.
So, Vasilevskiy is going to need help from his teammates. They can’t afford to get into the mindset of “Vasy will bail us out” and start cheating on defense. Yes, Vasilevskiy will make saves other goaltenders can’t, but even he has his limitations. If the Bolts get back to allowing multiple odd-man rushes or extended play in their own zone, it will be tough to keep their current spot in the standings.
After a successful home stand, hopefully the Lightning can keep things going on the road. Tonight is the first of three followed up by back-to-back games in Colorado and Arizona on Monday and Tuesday.
Stats Match-up
| Game #21 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Carolina Hurricanes |
| Overall Record | 9-6-5 | 11-7-0 |
| Home Record | 6-2-3 | 6-1-0 |
| Road Record | 3-4-2 | 5-6-0 |
| Goals For | 70 | 62 |
| Goals Against | 72 | 57 |
| xGF | 66.85 | 59.4 |
| xGA | 64.44 | 50.44 |
| Power Play | 31.3% | 22.7% |
| Penalty Kill | 84.5% | 79.0% |
Lines
Tampa Bay Lightning Projected Lines
Forwards
Brandon Hagel – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov
Steven Stamkos – Nick Paul – Nick Paul
Tanner Jeannot – Tyler Motte – Michael Eyssimont
Cole Koepke – Luke Glendening – Austin Watson
Defenders
Victor Hedman -Nick Perbix
Mikhail Sergachev – Erik Cernak
Calvin de Haan – Darren Raddysh
Goalies
Jonas Johansson
Andrei Vasilevskiy
Carolina Hurricanes Projected Lines
Forwards
Teuvo Teravainen – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis
Andrei Svechnikov – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Martin Necas
Jordan Martinook – Jordan Staal – Jesper Fast
Michael Bunting – Jack Drury – Stefan Noesen
Defenders
Jaccob Slavin – Brent Burns
Brady Skjei – Brett Pesce
Dmirty Orlov – Jalen Chatfield
Goalies
Antti Raanta
Pyotr Kochetkov
