TAMPA, FL. -The Carolina Hurricanes will be without the services of forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi as they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday.
The first-year Cane suffered a lower-body injury after he was checked by Lars Eller in the final seconds of Monday's 6-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. Pre-game tonight Rod Brind'Amour said that he did not have an update aside from that he'd be looked at again tomorrow. With #82 coming out of the lineup and the team only having one healthy body available to jump in, Steven Lorentz is expected to play. Lorentz has been a healthy scratch for the last three games but will play in his 59th game of the season this evening. On defense, the same six skaters are expected as last night's victory, as Ethan Bear remains out with a lower-body injury as well. Lastly, although unconfirmed, Antti Raanta is anticipated to have the start in net tonight. The contest is the second half of a back-to-back for the team and with Frederik Andersen having played last night in the nation's capital, Tuesday is expected to be the 20th start of the year for the Canes Finnish netminder. The projected lineup for tonight's 7 p.m. start on ESPN+ and Hulu is: Forwards: Teravainen - Aho - Jarvis Svechnikov - Trocheck - Necas Niederreiter - Staal - Fast Domi - Stepan - Lorentz Defensemen: Slavin - DeAngelo Skjei - Pesce Smith - Cole Starting Goalie: Raanta Injuries: Ethan Bear Jesperi Kotkaniemi Jordan Martinook Note: Lineup subject to change prior to opening faceoff Worth A Click: Preview: Canes at Lightning Mailbag #21: After The Deadline Burnside: Examining The Lead-Up To The Deadline For The Canes Kotkaniemi Elated To Be A Cane For The Long Haul Hurricanes March Schedule NHL Standings
