There is no time for the Carolina Hurricanes to feel sorry for themselves after blowing a 3-0 lead in the third period to the defending champions on Friday night. The Canes had snatched complete control against the Florida Panthers before a wild third period turned against them. Sebastian Aho scored twice, and Brandon Bussi stopped 38 shots as his winning streak came to an end.
The team will enter Saturday's contest in Tampa Bay without Seth Jarvis, who exited in overtime after a missed tripping penalty sent him hard into the post. They were already playing without Jordan Martinook, so we may see the team play with seven defensemen if Martinook is unable to dress for the game.
On the Other Side: Tampa Bay Lightning
To call this offseason uneventful for the Tampa Bay Lightning would be very appropriate. They didn't do a lot after a five-game exit in the opening round against the Panthers. They more or less stuck to their guns and decided this would be the team to ride with. There was the odd signing here or there, but nothing to really write home about.
Like many around the league, their start has been all about injuries and their inability to stay healthy. Almost all of their big players have missed time this season. Victor Hedman is out for a few months. Erik Cernak hasn't played in a month. The Lightning had to play without Brandon Hagel (LBI) and Nikita Kucherov (illness) on Thursday, a 2-1 loss to the Kings at home.
Without much change this offseason, opponents know what to expect from the Bolts. Kucherov is one of the best playmakers in the league. Jake Guentzel is about as steady as they come. Andrei Vasilevskiy is still among the top goalies in the league. While they remain in the thick of the playoff hunt, they're just 2-6-1 in December, dropping their last three games.
Last Season's Meetings: The Lightning took two of the three encounters last season. Nikita Kucherov recorded an Opening Night hat trick in Raleigh, leading the Bolts to a 4-1 win. Brayden Point scored with under a minute to go when the Canes visited Tampa for the first time, stealing a 3-2 victory in January. The Canes got in the win column with a 4-1 victory in mid-March.
Lightning to Watch
Brayden Point: It has been an uncharacteristically slow start to the season for Point. After a third straight 40-goal season, he has just five goals and 18 points. Point missed seven games around and after Thanksgiving, though he has returned with a vengeance. Over his last six contests, Point has seven points. Not to mention, he likes playing the Hurricanes (30 points in 30 games).
Darren Raddysh: Without Hedman in the lineup, the Bolts will rely on Raddysh to provide some offense on the back end. Like many of his teammates, he has missed some action this season. However, Raddysh is fourth on the team in scoring with 24 points. Quarterbacking their top power play, he'll have every chance to fly past his career-high in points (37 points last season).
Hurricanes to Watch
Jordan Staal: While the results weren't in the Canes' favor when they faced the Bolts last season, the captain was all over them. Staal recorded points in all three meetings, finishing with two goals and two assists. He's already at double digits in goals this season, reaching the mark for the 18th time in his career after scoring the opening goal against Florida on Friday.
Taylor Hall: Without Jarvis in the lineup, the Canes have a few options for who to put on the top line next to Sebastian Aho. My guess is that Hall gets the first look if the team opts not to separate the second line. Hall was a big part of the spirited third period last night, laying one of the biggest hits of the season on AJ Greer. It might have earned him a promotion for the moment.