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Carolina Hurricanes vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Game Preview and Storm Advisory

The Hurricanes take on the best team in hockey tonight in Raleigh as they look to keep it going after a big win against Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

Jamie Kellner

The Hurricanes face off tonight against the buzzsaw that is the Lightning in Raleigh to cap off the season series between the two teams, as the Hurricanes look to keep pace in the playoff race and avoid a clean season sweep at the hands of Tampa Bay.


Vital Statistics

Category Hurricanes Bruins
Category Hurricanes Bruins
Record 8-6 11-5
Goals/Game 2.79 3.31
Goals Against/Game 2.71 2.06
Shots/Game 30.9 34.3
Faceoff % 49.1% 53.3%
Power Play % (Rank) 10.0% (14) 31.9% (1)
Penalty Kill % (Rank) 70.8% (14) 85.7% (4)
ES Corsi For % 55.61% 51.66%
ES PDO 101.2% 101.0
PIM/Game 8:38 6:30

Goaltender #1

Category Petr Mrazek Tuukka Rask
Category Petr Mrazek Tuukka Rask
Record 5-5 11-5
Save % .894 .939
GAA 2.73 1.96

Goaltender #2

Category Curtis McElhinney Jaroslav Halak
Category Curtis McElhinney Jaroslav Halak
Record 3-1 0-0
Save % .943 N/A
GAA 1.70 N/A

Game Notes

  • The Lightning gutted out an overtime win in Washington against the Capitals last night by a score of 5-4. The Hurricanes will certainly be the more rested team tonight in PNC Arena, but can they capitalize on that?
  • The Lightning currently sit atop the NHL standings with 118 points. The record for most points in a season is 132, which was set by the Montreal Canadiens in 1976-77. The Lightning would need to pick up a nearly perfect 14 points in their remaining eight games in order to tie the record.
  • The Hurricanes are 0-2-0 against the Lightning this season, dropping their matchups in October and January.
  • Justin Williams recorded his 300th career goal with a tally on January 10th in Tampa Bay.
  • The Hurricanes’ 24 wins in 34 games since New Year’s Day is eclipsed only by the Lightning, who have recorded 26 wins in 34 games in the same frame.
  • Andrei Vasilevskiy got the start in Washington last night and made a franchise record-breaking 54 saves to secure the team’s 6th consecutive win.

Storm Advisory

  • Canes players met with members of the Junior Hurricanes 10 and under Girls team on Tuesday night after the win.
  • The Hurricanes are hosting American Sign Language Night on Thursday, April 4th in PNC Arena in a game against the Devils. Check out the awesome promotional tickets they’re running for the game here.
  • The NHL draft lottery and how it’s all going down this year. [ESPN]
  • Calvin de Haan spoke a bit about his injury and how soon he anticipates being back in the lineup after a scary eye injury.
  • The Canes will be offering $35 lower level tickets for Sunday’s game against Montreal with a portion of the proceeds going toward Officer Ainsworth and his family.

Stalking the Standings

ICYMI, we took a more in depth look at the relevant portion of the standings yesterday in By The Numbers. Basically everyone in direct competition with the Hurricanes will be in action tonight, so it’s very important for the Hurricanes to come out of tonight’s matchup with something to show for it.

  • Metro 1: Washington Capitals: 74 GP, 94 points, 104 pt pace, 39 ROW
  • Metro 2: New York Islanders: 73 GP, 91 points, 102 pt pace, 38 ROW
  • Metro 3: Pittsburgh Penguins: 74 GP, 89 points, 99 pt pace, 38 ROW
  • WC 1: Carolina Hurricanes: 72 GP, 87 points, 99 pt pace, 38 ROW
  • WC 2: Columbus Blue Jackets: 73 GP, 84 points, 94 pt pace, 39 ROW
  • 9th: Montreal Canadiens: 73 GP, 83 points, 93 pt pace, 36 ROW
  • 10th: Philadelphia Flyers: 73 GP, 78 points, 88 pt pace, 33 ROW

Tonight’s Rooting Guide

  • No overtime in Islanders vs. Canadiens and maybe an Islanders win.
  • Predators over Penguins.
  • Oilers over Blue Jackets.