The Tampa Bay Lightning are in town to face the Carolina Hurricanes tonight for the second game of a back-to-back situation for each team. The Canes beat up the Islanders 6-2 in their game last night, while the Lightning lost to the Devils in a shootout, 3-2. It was the third straight loss for Tampa Bay and they have lost 8 of their last 10 contests. The Canes have lost three in a row at home by a combined score of 15-2, but have won four in a row on the road for the first time since the championship, 2005-06 season.
This will be the fifth meeting between the teams this year and the Hurricanes have prevailed each time, although every game was a close one.
Coach Paul Maurice said earlier today that he will stick with the same lineup of last night. Brandon Sutter is getting a little break and will be healthy scratched again. Joni Pitkanen will also sit this one out, but as a non-healthy scratch as will Scott Walker and Justin Williams.
The lines will be mixed but probably should look something like the following:
- Staal, Samsonov, Ruutu
- Cullen, Whitney, LaRose
- Brind'Amour, Eaves, Ryan
- Jokinen, Bayda, Conboy
- Corvo, Gleason
- Babchuk, Seidenberg
- Kaberle, Wallin
Once again, Cam Ward will be between the pipes.
Tampa Bay is suffering from a rash of injuries in their own right. Paul Ranger. Andrej Meszaros, and goalie Mike Smith are out, among others. Will Karri Ramo be in goal for them? Will Mark Recchi make his presence known like he always does against Carolina?
NHL Commisioner, Gary Bettman, will be in the house. The game starts at 7PM and will be broadcast locally again by FS Carolinas.