For the first time in three weeks, there will be hockey at the Lenovo Center. The Carolina Hurricanes are back on the ice, trying to extend their point streak to 11 games when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Canes ventured into the break on a roll after a 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Brandon Bussi made 16 stops to earn his second shutout.
All five of the team's Olympians are back in the building after successful trips to Italy. Frederik Andersen and Nikolaj Ehlers rejoined the team earlier this week, while Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis were on the ice for practice on Wednesday. The only person absent was Jaccob Slavin, though he spoke with the media after practice.
On the Other Side: Tampa Bay Lightning
Last meeting: The Hurricanes were in Tampa Bay to complete a back-to-back in Florida. They'd blown a three-goal lead the night before, and they did it again against the Bolts. The Canes led 3-0 after the first period before conceding three in the second. They took the lead early in the third, but Tampa responded with three unanswered goals in a 6-4 victory.
Their win over the Hurricanes began an 11-game winning streak for the Bolts. It helped catapult them to the top of the Atlantic Division, a lead which they maintained into the break. Since the Canes' visit, Tampa is 19-1-1, losing in a shootout to the Blues and in regulation to the Blue Jackets in January. They won their final five before the break (and kept it going with a win over Toronto last night.
The Lightning got a boost to their lineup on Wednesday, welcoming Brayden Point, Emil Lilleberg, and Charle-Edouard D'Astous back from injury. Point's injury kept him out of the Olympics, allowing Seth Jarvis to take his place in Milan. Anthony Cirelli, who also missed the Games, was back at the team's optional skate on Wednesday in a regular sweater, though he has already been ruled out for tonight.
With the Canes and the Bolts neck-and-neck for the top spot in the Eastern Conference this season, we're likely to see a fight to the finish. Tampa Bay is one of the most complete teams in the league, sporting one of the top offenses and the second-best defense, anchored by Andrei Vasilevskiy, who would be my Vezina pick right now. This is a grueling test for the Hurricanes to face out of the gate.
Lightning to Watch
Nikita Kucherov: During their 21-game hot streak, Kucherov put up 49 points, tying Connor McDavid for the most assists in the league and moving into third in points. He was only held scoreless once. Then, because Russia can't compete internationally, he got to relax for the last three weeks, giving him time to prepare for the stretch run. Kucherov should be ready to roll, which is a scary thought.
Victor Hedman: While Hedman made the trip to Milan for the Olympics, he didn't play in Sweden's quarterfinal loss to the United States. He dressed for the game but never took a shift because of a pre-game injury. By all accounts, Hedman is good to go for tonight's game, though his health continues to be a story this season.
Hurricanes to Watch
Andrei Svechnikov: I hope that this break didn't halt the momentum that Svechnikov had heading into it. He scored a big goal against the Rangers in the game before the pause, and he has 14 points during the team's ongoing ten-game point streak. He didn't practice earlier in the week and had his wrist wrapped on Wednesday, but he should be just fine as we get back into the swing of things.
Eric Robinson: It has been over a month since Robinson was hit by Rasmus Dahlin and exited a game against the Sabres with a shoulder injury. He has slowly made his way back and is expected to be healthy enough to suit up tonight. Robinson is chasing down a new career-high in goals, needing five more to pass his total from a season ago.