Preview: Lightning, Hurricanes Clash in Key Eastern Conference Matchup RALEIGH, N.C. (Interstat) — Two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams will meet Thursday when the Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center. The Lightning (37-18) enter with a narrow lead over the Hurricanes (36-21) in the standings, adding stakes to the first of two meetings between the clubs in a 17-day span. They will meet again in Tampa on March 14. Tampa Bay arrives riding a five-game winning streak, having outscored opponents 24-6 in that span. That run includes a decisive 6-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Feb. 5. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who made 33 saves in that win, anchors a defense that has allowed two or fewer goals in four of the past five games. Forwards Pontus Holmberg and Oliver Bjorkstrand have provided consistent secondary scoring. Carolina is also in strong form, coming off a 2-0 road shutout of the New York Rangers on Feb. 5. Captain Jordan Staal scored in that victory, and the Hurricanes have earned points in seven of their past eight games (6-1-1). Their offense has been potent at home, highlighted by a nine-goal outburst against Florida last month. The teams last met on Dec. 20, 2025, with Tampa Bay securing a 6-4 home win in a high-scoring affair. A similar offensive showcase is projected by National Statistical’s game simulator, which predicts a 6-4 Carolina victory on Thursday. This matchup pits Tampa Bay’s surging, veteran-led attack against Carolina’s structured, relentless style under coach Rod Brind’Amour. The Hurricanes will look to leverage home ice, where they are 20-8 this season, to close the gap in the standings. Following this game, Tampa Bay begins a three-game homestand against Buffalo on Saturday. Carolina remains at home to host Detroit on Saturday before embarking on a four-game Western Canada road trip.