An NHL Game Day Preview between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes
When: 5:00 PM EST
Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
Puckline: Lighting +1.5 | Hurricanes -1.5
Moneyline: Tampa -110
OVER/UNDER Game Total: 6.5
Tampa Bay Lightning Vs Carolina Hurricanes Game Day Preview
The Central Division champion Carolina Hurricanes open their Second Round series against the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday night.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Just like the first-round series against the Florida Panthers, the second-round match-up against the Carolina Hurricanes will be Tampa Bay’s first ever in the playoffs. While this series might lack a rivalry and a mutual hatred of the recent Sunshine State showdown, the Lightning-Hurricanes match-up is expected to be more tough and close.
The Lightning certainly would not have gotten here if it weren’t for former MVP Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov missed the regular season but came into the playoffs with no rust. In the six-game series against the Panthers, Kucherov scored three goals and eight assists for 11 points. He absolutely roasted the Cats on the power play, generating seven PPP.
Andrei Vasilevskiy will get the start in net for Tampa Bay. In Round 1, Vasilevskiy went 4-2 with a 2.64 GAA and a .929 SV%.
Carolina Hurricanes
Come Sunday night, Carolina’s resiliency will be tested against Tampa Bay’s championship experience.
Carolina advanced to Round 2 with back-to-back come-from-behind overtime wins against the Predators, 3-2 in Game 5 and 4-3 in Game 6.
The Hurricanes won two of the last three regular-season games against the Lightning (2-0-1), who won three in a row against Carolina from Feb. 22-25. However, Carolina will have a much tougher time as they didn’t have to face Nikita Kucherov.
But, Sebastion Aho has been a difference-maker for the Canes in the playoffs. Aho is the Hurricanes’ most dangerous player because of his offensive instincts and talent, his speed, defensive acumen and ability to transition quickly out of the defensive zone and into scoring chances. Aho scored seven points (five goals, two assists) in the first round, including two game-winning goals.
Matchup Facts
- The Lightning are 7-1 in their last eight playoff games as an underdog.
- The Hurricanes are 6-1 in their last seven Sunday games.
- The Hurricanes are 8-2 in their last 10 games when their opponent allows two goals or less in their previous game.
- The Lightning are 6-1 in their last seven Sunday games.
- The Hurricanes are 7-1 in their last eight games playing on two days rest.
- The Hurricanes are 8-2 in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- The Canes are 21-6 in their last 27 playoff games as a favorite.