Hurricanes at Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning look to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season when they host the struggling Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. The Lightning, among the league leaders in points with 39, have dropped two straight at home for the first time since April and attempt to win for the eighth time in nine games against Carolina. The Hurricanes managed just one goal while losing each of their last three contests and own the fewest points in the Eastern Conference (19).
Carolina is 29th in the league in scoring (2.18) and is 0-of-10 on the power play in four games this month. “We’ve got to find ways to get to tough areas and get some goals,” Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner told reporters after a 2-1 loss to New Jersey on Monday. “I don’t think we worked hard enough to be rewarded.” Tampa Bay fell behind Columbus and Washington in its last two contests and has yet to rally for a victory when trailing after two periods this season.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Carolina, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay)
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (8-16-3): Coach Bill Peters told the Raleigh News & Observer it could be time to “shuffle” the forward lines, perhaps shifting captain Eric Staal from center to the wing. Staal has gone four games without a point and is one of several players in scoring droughts, including Riley Nash (zero points, seven games) and Jiri Tlusty (zero, five), while Alexander Semin is questionable with various injuries. Defenseman Justin Faulk scored the lone goal at New Jersey and leads the team with 16 points.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (18-8-3): Tampa Bay has been a bit off on both ends of the ice the last two games, giving up early goals and too many quality chances while going 0-of-5 on its streaky power play. “We’re not playing the way we need to in order to be successful,” captain Steven Stamkos told reporters. “Maybe we’re not getting some bounces that we were getting at the beginning of the year, but we’ve got to earn those.” Stamkos notched his team-best 17th goal in the 5-3 loss to Washington on Tuesday.
OVERTIME
1. Tampa Bay D Victor Hedman has collected 13 points in his first 11 games this season, recording at least three in three of the contests.
2. Carolina D Ron Hainsey, who had his second assist of the season Monday, is slated to play his 700th career game.
3. Lightning C Brian Boyle scored his sixth goal Tuesday, matching his total with the New York Rangers last season in 82 games.