The Carolina Hurricanes vs lightning matchup in Tampa Bay features final projected lineups, roster scratches and lingering injury questions as both clubs prepare for a meeting at Benchmark International Arena. The game is scheduled for 7: 00 pm ET Saturday, March 14 and will test the available depth on both benches.
Hurricanes Vs Lightning: Projected Lineups
Both clubs released projected forward and defensive groupings that show top-six continuity and several depth options. The Hurricanes’ forward group includes a top line of Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, followed by Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake; Nikolaj Ehlers, Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook; and William Carrier, Mark Jankowski and Eric Robinson. Scratched players listed are Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nicolas Deslauriers.
- Hurricanes defense pairings: Jaccob Slavin with Jalen Chatfield; K’Andre Miller with Sean Walker; Mike Reilly with Alexander Nikishin. Goaltenders: Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen.
- Lightning forward group: Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli and Nikita Kucherov; Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point and Gage Goncalves; Zemgus Girgensons, Yanni Gourde and Pontus Holmberg; Corey Perry, Nick Paul and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Defense pairs include Victor Hedman with Charle-Edouard D’Astous. Scratches for the Lightning listed include Scott Sabourin and Declan Carlile.
Injuries, Scratches and Roster Notes
Injury listings and roster moves are a central part of the pregame picture. The Hurricanes listed Shayne Gostisbehere and Pyotr Kochetkov as injured with lower-body concerns; Gostisbehere is likely to miss a fourth straight game but is expected to return soon. Carolina had Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nicolas Deslauriers scratched for the matchup.
For Tampa Bay, a pair of players are noted as injured: Dominic James with a lower-body issue and Max Crozier with a core-muscle concern; Emil Lilleberg is sidelined with a facial fracture. The Lightning also placed Scott Sabourin and Conor Geekie on the scratch list at times, and the team assigned forward Connor Geekie to Syracuse of the American Hockey League on Saturday. Nick Paul and Brian Cernak are noted as returning to the lineup after absences; Paul missed 11 games with a lower-body injury and Cernak missed two games with an upper-body issue.
Form, Records and Key Performers
The matchup pairs two teams with strong seasons. Carolina entered the matchup with a 41-18-6 record, including a 17-9-4 road mark; Tampa Bay held a 40-20-4 overall record and was 20-11-0 at home. Tampa Bay’s disciplined but penalized play is reflected in team totals; the Lightning had committed 327 total penalties to rank first in the league for most penalties taken. Carolina showed success on the power play with a 17-6-1 record in games where it converted at least one power play.
Recent form and standout contributors are part of the equation. The Lightning were coming off a 4-1 win highlighted by Gage Goncalves’ two-goal performance. Nikita Kucherov was listed with 34 goals and 72 assists, and Brayden Point had a notable run with five goals and seven assists over his last 10 games. On Carolina’s side, Seth Jarvis had 28 goals and 25 assists, while Nikolaj Ehlers had collected six goals and four assists over his most recent 10-game stretch.
Each club’s last 10 games painted different pictures: the Lightning’s recent 10-game line showed a 4-6-0 slate with averages including 3. 6 goals for and 3. 6 goals against, while the Hurricanes were 7-3-0 over their last 10, averaging 3. 8 goals for and giving up 2. 9 goals per game. The teams had met twice previously this season, with Carolina winning the prior meeting 5-4.
With projected lines set, injury absences noted and recent performances in view, the matchup at Benchmark International Arena will hinge on special-teams execution, depth scoring and how quickly sidelined players can return to form. Uncertainties remain around availability for players listed as injured or scratched, and final decisions will determine how each club deploys its depth for the contest.
