The Hurricanes are in Florida for an abbreviated road trip and will take on the Lightning tonight at 7:30. Patrick Eaves did not make the trip because of his upper body concern, but the Canes called up Patrick Dwyer from Albany to take his spot. Coach Paul Maurice said that he believed the Eaves situation was not long term.
"Canes Now" is reporting that Nic Wallin will make his return tonight. It's not known which defenseman will sit to make room for the "Secret Weapon", or will Carolina play seven defensemen ?
The Canes have won two in a row and with last night's win slipped into seventh place in the conference with 43 points. The Lighting are last in the division with 30 points and just above the Islanders who are last in the conference with 28.
Both teams have recently changed coaches and while the new regime seems to have sparked some life into the Hurricanes, (7-4-3 under Maurice), the Lightning are still struggling under Rick Tocchet, (5-10-6).
The line of Eric Staal, Tuomo Ruutu, and Sergei Samsonov have consecutive five point games while Anton Babchuk has scored in three straight, (2 goals 1 assist).
This will be Joni Pitkanen's 300th NHL game.
Cam Ward has a 6-2-1 record in his last nine games and will start again tonight.
No matter what the records, these games with the Bolts are always tough ones. FS Carolinas will have the action.