Carolina defeated Nashville 4-3 in overtime Game 6 Thursday to eliminate the Predators 4-2 and advance out of the First Round.
The Lightning moved into the Second Round for the fifth time in the last seven seasons and eighth time overall after besting in-state rival Florida in six games in the opening round, closing out the series with a 4-0 shutout win at AMALIE Arena Wednesday.
Carolina will own home-ice advantage for the Second Round and host the Lightning in Games 1 and 2 at PNC Arena. Game 1 is set for 5 p.m. on Sunday evening.
The full schedule for the Tampa Bay-Carolina series has yet to be released.
The Hurricanes won the Central Division regular season title, collecting 80 points. Tampa Bay finished third in the division with 75 points
The Lightning have never faced Carolina in the playoffs.
Tampa Bay went 4-3-1 against Carolina during the regular season, including a 3-1-0 record at AMALIE Arena and 1-2-1 mark at PNC Arena.
Alex Killorn (2-3-5 pts. in 8 GP) and Victor Hedman (1-4-5 pts. in 8 GP) led the Lightning for scoring against Carolina during the regular season.
Tampa Bay is the defending Stanley Cup champion and has won its last five playoff series.
