Tampa Bay Lightning v Carolina Hurricanes: the preview
Tampa Bay Lightning meet Carolina Hurricanes at Benchmark International Arena, Thursday 11:00am (NHL). Tampa Bay Lightning have won 51 of the 90 meetings with Carolina Hurricanes since 2008.
The big picture
Tampa Bay Lightning come in 8th on the ladder; Carolina Hurricanes are 1st. Carolina Hurricanes are the side higher up the table.
Tampa Bay Lightning are 12–7 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 3.5 goals for and 3 against.
Carolina Hurricanes are 16–6 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 4 goals for and 2.5 against.
Form
Tampa Bay Lightning have won three of their last five and most recently beat Chicago Blackhawks 4–1.
Carolina Hurricanes have won four of their last five and most recently beat New York Islanders 5–3.
Head to head
These sides have met 90 times on our records since 2008: Tampa Bay Lightning 51, Carolina Hurricanes 39.
Last time out (2025-26), Carolina Hurricanes won 4–2 at Benchmark International Arena.
Biggest margin between these two: Tampa Bay Lightning by 6 goals in 2023-24 (8–2).
Players to watch
For Tampa Bay Lightning, watch Jake Guentzel (0.5 goals a game, 7 assists in 2026-27) and Brandon Hagel (0.5 goals a game, 9 assists in 2026-27).
For Carolina Hurricanes, watch Logan Stankoven (0.7 goals a game, 7 assists in 2026-27) and Mark Jankowski (0.6 goals a game, 1 assist in 2026-27).
At Benchmark International Arena
Tampa Bay Lightning have won 16 of their last 23 at Benchmark International Arena.
What the numbers say
On form, ladder and history, Carolina Hurricanes have the edge.
Written automatically from Lineball's own match and player database. Not betting advice.
