Lightning at Hurricanes Game Preview: Back to Basics

Game : Tampa Bay Lightning (37-22-4) at Carolina Hurricanes (38-22-4)

Time: 7:30 PM EST

Location: Lenovo Center, Raleigh

TV/Stream/Radio: Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning +110

Know the Opponents: Canes Country

When a team is 14-14-2 away from their home arena it’s rarely a good time to hit the road, but for the Tampa Bay Lightning now might be the ideal team for some time away from Amalie. After a couple of lackluster performances to end their home-stand, the Bolts could use some bonding time as they look to integrate a couple of new members into their line-up.

Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand haven’t quite found their roles on the team, but that can be said for just about every trade deadline acquisition. After all, it’s only been two games and a handful of practices for the duo. Honestly, they haven’t been the issue over the last two games. Beginning with the Buffalo game and continuing through the loss to Boston, the Lightning haven’t matched their opponents energy level.

That’s a bit of a reversal from their previous three weeks of play where they were grounding out wins with workmen-like efforts. Carolina, as always, will be a good test for the team as the Hurricanes are always going to be full-gas from the moment the puck hits the ice on the opening face-off. Tampa Bay can’t take any shifts off or else Andrei Vasilevskiy is going to be in for a long, long night.

Vasy was one of the keys to victory the last time these two teams met as he made 29 saves in the 3-2 win, but the players in front of him did a nice job of limiting the Carolina attack. The Hurricanes had 60 shot attempts at 5v5, but could only muster 7 high-danger chances. Against the Bruins, the Lightning struggled with the puck as they coughed it up multiple times, stymieing their own attack and giving Boston extra chances. That is not the best plan to beat Carolina.

Hopefully, they will have a little help on the blueline that they didn’t have against Boston. Victor Hedman skated at practice on Monday and is hopefully back in the line-up tonight. Both Hedman and the coaching staff gave a “we’ll see” when asked about his availability for the game tonight.

Despite losing Mikko Rantanen at the deadline, the Hurricanes still have plenty of offense and have reeled off four straight wins. Seth Jarvis (25 goals) and Sebastian Aho (24 goals) are leading the way. Even the new kid, Logan Stankoven, put one in the net in his debut game with the Hurricanes. On the backend, Shayne Gotisbehere has 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists) in his last 8 games. Youngster Jackson Blake has moved up to the top line, and while he hasn’t scored of late, he has posted a 2.34 iXG over the last 8 games while generating 23 scoring chances.

It’ll be a big test for the Bolts tonight, but after a couple of days off, they should be ready to put their best foot forward against the Hurricanes. The best way to get back on track is to keep their game simple. Quick passes, smart decisions, and winning the puck battles was how they put together a long winning streak, and it’s how they’ll get out of their latest funk.

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

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Carolina Hurricanes

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