Preview: Lightning vs. Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes close out a back-to-back set by hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning, the first of four consecutive match-ups against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The Match-Up

Tampa Bay Lightning (10-3-1, 21 points) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (11-3-1, 23 points)
Saturday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m.
Watch: FOX Sports Carolinas,
FOX Sports GO
Listen: 99.9 FM The Fan,
Hurricanes.com/Listen
,
Hurricanes app
PROJECTED LINEUP

Tracking the Storylines

Playoffs in February: A last-minute scheduling shuffle swaps out Saturday's original opponent, the Chicago Blackhawks, for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Beginning with games in Raleigh on Saturday and Monday followed by a back-to-back in Tampa, the Canes are now slated to face the defending Stanley Cup champions four games in a row, a little mini-playoff series in late February between two of the top teams in the Central Division.
"They're a great team, so we've just got to dig in," Jaccob Slavin said. "It's going to be an important four games."
Staying Hot: The Canes extended their point streak to five games (4-0-1) and improved to 5-0-1 at home with a
5-3 win
over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. Nino Niederreiter netted two goals and added an assist, which marked his 300th career NHL assist. The Canes broke a 2-2 tie open in the third period with two power-play goals, and James Reimer made 26 saves to win his eighth game of the season.

The Opposition

Last five games: 3-2-0, 6 points
On the road: 4-2-1, 9 points
CAR vs. TB: 1-0-0
Leading scorer: Brayden Point, 16 points (6g, 10a) in 14 games
A historic winter storm in Dallas postponed the Lightning's two-game set with the Stars, a rematch of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, that was supposed to take place on Thursday and Saturday. The Bolts have been dle since Monday, when they lost their second of three games to the Florida Panthers, prompting the schedule shuffle that now brings them to Raleigh for the beginning of a four-game set against the Canes.

The Last Meeting

Coming off a weeklong COVID-19-related shutdown early in the season, the still-shorthanded Canes drew the defending Stanley Cup champions in their first game back. Petr Mrazek made 32 saves in his second shutout of the season and Martin Necas netted the deciding goal in overtime, as the Canes grinded out a
1-0 win in their home opener
.

"That is how it's supposed to look. It doesn't really matter who goes in," Brind'Amour said. "Now, there are times when the talent has to take over, but I felt like tonight it looked right. The effort was certainly there."

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- Highlights: CAR 5, CHI 3 - Postgame Quotes: Feb. 19 vs. CHI