Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lighting: Game Preview and Storm Advisory

The Carolina Hurricanes head to Tampa Bay to kick off their longest remaining road trip. The Canes’ six-game road trip will see them play two games against the Lightning, Florida Panthers and the Dallas Stars. With just 13 games left and the next two being the last against the Lightning, these could prove to be the most pivotal games for the Hurricanes.

Win both and their chances to win the division skyrocket and would keep them on pace with the Avalanche for the Presidents Trophy. Lose both, and the Canes look to have to have a tough first-round battle with the Panthers. With the Canes’ three-headed monster in net. it could be back to James Reimer, who hasn’t started since Monday, for this one.

Game Notes:

• With two games remaining in the season series, the Canes have a 3-3-0 record against the Lightning. However, they have won the most recent matchup
• Teuvo Teravainen is traveling with the team for this road trip, Brock McGinn was left at home to recover from his injury. Teravainen has not played since March 4.
• Andrei Vasilevskiy dropped his first home start on Saturday; his record is 14-1-0 at home this season. Vaskilevskiy leads the league in wins (26) and save percentage (.930), and also ranks third in goals-against average (2.06).
• Victor Hedman’s two assists on Saturday marked his 11th multi-point game of the season. He currently ranks second in NHL scoring for defensemen with 41 points, just one behind the Washington Capitals John Carlson.
• Andrei Svechnikov hopes the monkey is all the way off of his back. With a goal in his last game, he now has five points in his last six games. He is just two points behind Jeff Skinner for most points scored in his first three seasons in team history.

Reading Assignments:

• ICYMI: The Canes had their best period of the season and Jani Hakanpaa’s heroics led the Hurricanes over the Predators.

• How COVID hit Brandon Sutter and his family ‘It just wipes you out.’ [$The Athletic]
• Garnett Hathaway was ejected for boarding Jarred Tinordi yesterday. Was not the only controversial hit of the game. [RMNB]

• Zach Hyman left the Leafs/Canucks game last night after a knee-to-knee hit by Alex Edler. Edler was given a major and a game misconduct for the hit. [Sportsnet]
• Ads on NHL uniforms are expected to arrive by the 2022-2023 season according to multiple sources. [Sports Business Journal]

• Mark Stone recorded a goal and an assist to bring his multi-point streak to four games. The win last night also brought the Vegas Golden Knights to the top of the West Division [NHL]