Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning Picks and Predictions October 11th 2024

Planning on watching today’s Lightning and Hurricanes game? Catch the action at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC, as the Hurricanes hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The odds for this Eastern conference game currently have the Hurricanes as the -1.5 goal favorite with the over/under line sitting at 6 goals.

Tampa Bay vs. Carolina Key Information

The Lightning finished last season with a 45-29-8 record, placing 6th in the Eastern Conference with a 26-24 mark in those games. In Atlantic Division matchups, they went 12-14, finishing 4th. At home, Tampa Bay was 25-11-5, while on the road, they went 20-18-3.

As favorites, the Lightning posted a 31-17-3 record, but their puck line record was 23-28. As underdogs, they went 12-12-5 straight-up and 11-20 against the puck line. Their over/under record was 39-37-6, and their games averaged 6.8 goals per game.

Last season, Tampa Bay’s offense was among the best in the NHL, finishing 5th in goals per game with an average of 3.5. They also ranked 4th in assists. Despite these strong numbers, they were only 22nd in shots on goal per game, averaging 29.2.

Optimize Your Betting Strategy with NHL Tips! View the best NHL Game Predictions today.

The Lightning led the league in power play goals, ranking 1st overall. They also did well shorthanded, finishing 9th in shorthanded goals.

Last season, the Lightning allowed 3.1 goals per game, placing them 20th in the NHL. They faced 29.5 shots on goal per game, also ranking 20th. Despite this, Tampa Bay recorded four shutouts, the 5th most in the league.

In terms of takeaways, the Lightning ranked 19th, but they were 8th in defensive hits. They’ll be up against the Hurricanes today.

The Lightning finished last season with a 52-23-7 record, placing 2nd in the Eastern Conference with a 35-15 record in those games. They also went 16-10 in the Metropolitan Division, which was good for 2nd place. At home, Tampa Bay was 27-10-4, while on the road, they finished 25-13-3.

Against the puck line, the Lightning went 35-47. Of their 52 wins, 35 were by multiple goals, while 17 were one-goal victories. Their over/under record was 33-47-2, with an average of 6 goals per game.

Heading into their season opener against Tampa Bay, the Hurricanes are coming off a strong offensive season, ranking 8th in the NHL with 3.4 goals per game. They were 6th in assists. Carolina was effective in limiting giveaways, finishing 22nd in the league.

The Hurricanes were 3rd in the NHL in shorthanded goals and power play goals last season. They also ranked 3rd in shots on goal, averaging 33.3 per game.

Carolina had one of the NHL’s best defenses last season, finishing 3rd in goals allowed at 2.4 per game. They were also 3rd in shots on goal allowed and led the league with eight shutouts. Despite ranking 32nd in defensive hits, the Hurricanes were 11th in takeaways.

They’ll face the Tampa Bay Lightning today, who averaged 3.4 goals per game last season, ranking 6th in the NHL.

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Hurricanes to secure a victory over the Lightning at home. With the moneyline currently set at -137, I’m locking in my bet on the Hurricanes straight-up.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Lightning to cover. Even if the Hurricanes manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Lightning should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Amid a Rough Week, Lightning Prepare to Face Hospitable Hurricanes

As the Tampa Bay Lightning prepare for their season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes, both teams are coming off a whirlwind of changes and challenges. The game, set for Friday night in Raleigh, N.C., marks the beginning of a season where both teams have high hopes of remaining among the elite in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. However, the past week has been anything but ordinary for the Lightning, as they dealt with off-ice distractions that have impacted their preparations.

Lightning’s Disruptive Week and Preparation for the Season Opener

The Tampa Bay Lightning have had more than just hockey on their minds as they get ready to kick off the season. Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 3 storm, struck Florida’s Gulf Coast earlier this week, causing significant damage in the region. In response, the Lightning temporarily relocated to Raleigh, fleeing Florida ahead of the storm and practicing in North Carolina since Tuesday.

Despite the disruptions, Lightning head coach Jon Cooper was impressed by how focused his team remained during practices, even under unusual circumstances.

“You have to thank the Carolina Hurricanes for everything they did to help us,” Cooper said, expressing gratitude toward the Hurricanes for their hospitality during a difficult time. “You have to love that about our league, that everybody is in it together, even though we’re going to beat each other up in a couple of days.”

Though the storm caused some upheaval in their routine, Cooper noted that one of the best practices of the preseason took place during their stay in Raleigh. As a result, the team remains optimistic about their season opener, even if their focus has been split between hockey and the impact of the hurricane back home.

Changes in the Lightning Lineup

The Lightning will be starting the season with a mix of familiar faces and some adjustments. One notable change is in team leadership, as longtime captain Steven Stamkos left the team as a free agent, signing with the Nashville Predators. In his place, defenseman Victor Hedman steps into the role of captain. Hedman, a cornerstone of the Lightning defense for years, now assumes greater responsibility both on and off the ice.

In terms of player availability, Tampa Bay could see center Jake Guentzel in the lineup, although his participation remains uncertain due to an undisclosed injury. Guentzel, who finished last season with the Hurricanes before being traded after the season, has not fully participated in all practices this week.

“He is all right,” Cooper said, offering some reassurance about Guentzel’s status, but leaving the door open for further evaluation before the game.

The Hurricanes’ New Look and High Expectations

For the Carolina Hurricanes, Friday’s season opener marks a chance to show off their new-look lineup after a strong season that saw them finish with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 52-23-7. Though they were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the New York Rangers, the Hurricanes are once again expected to be a force in the league.

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour acknowledged the team’s excitement to return to meaningful games after a long offseason.

“You don’t know how it’s all going to shake out,” Brind’Amour said. “It has been a long time since we played a meaningful game.”

One area where the Hurricanes will showcase change is on the blue line, where defenseman Sean Walker joins the team. Walker is set to be paired with Shayne Gostisbehere, who is beginning his second stint with the Hurricanes. The team’s defense is expected to be one of their strengths again this season, and Walker’s addition could bring a fresh dynamic to their back end.

However, the Hurricanes will start the season with a key absence. Left winger Brendan Lemieux suffered an injury during the preseason finale and will miss the beginning of the season.

“He got banged up in his last game of the preseason a little bit,” Brind’Amour explained. “He’s going to be out for a little while.”

With Lemieux sidelined, rookie forward Jackson Blake will have an opportunity to step into the lineup. The young player out of North Dakota impressed during the preseason and is expected to take on a role on the fourth line.

“He’s definitely a dynamic player and he plays with a little grit too, so that’s good,” Brind’Amour said. “He had a great preseason.”

Goalie Matchup and Saturday’s Postponement

The season opener will likely feature two of the best goaltenders in the league, with Andrei Vasilevskiy expected to start for the Lightning and Frederik Andersen for the Hurricanes. Both netminders have been key figures for their respective teams, and their performances will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game.

Join for Expert Betting Advice! Register Today.

The game on Friday was supposed to be the first of a back-to-back series between the two teams, with a rematch scheduled for Saturday night in Tampa. However, due to the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Milton, the Lightning announced that Saturday’s game has been postponed to a later date. This decision allows the team and its community time to focus on recovery from the storm’s impact.

A Season Full of Hope and Uncertainty

As the Lightning and Hurricanes prepare to face off, both teams are navigating a blend of optimism and uncertainty. For the Lightning, their disrupted week serves as a reminder that hockey is just one part of life, but it also underscores the resilience of the team and the community they represent. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are eager to build on their success from last season, even as they integrate new players and deal with early injuries.

With both teams coming off strong campaigns last year, this season opener promises to be a highly competitive matchup. Whether it’s the Lightning’s new leadership or the Hurricanes’ fresh defensive pairings, fans can expect to see two of the Eastern Conference’s best go head-to-head in what should be an exciting start to the season.