The Lightning were one second away from their first victory
since March. Instead, they host the Hurricanes tonight at St. Pete Times Forum
hoping to avoid a fourth straight loss to begin the season and ninth in a row
to Carolina.
Tampa Bay has gone 0-1-2 to begin this season and has lost 12 straight (0-8-4)
dating back to last campaign. The Lightning have lost consecutive shootout
games, falling to the Hurricanes on Tuesday before Thursday night's heart-
breaking 4-3 setback to the Devils.
Steven Stamkos scored twice in regulation and Todd Fedoruk's third-period
marker gave the Lightning a one-goal edge with 14:19 left in the period.
However, Travis Zajac scored with just one second left in regulation to force
overtime and New Jersey scored twice in the shootout to complete the rally.
"I think this is just a start, but we can play better," said Stamkos. "I think
we just need to get over that hump. We were right there, but a score with less
than a second left is tough."
Mike Smith stopped 31-of-34 shots faced in defeat for the Lightning, who
haven't won since March 24.
The Lightning may find it difficult to snap their losing streak against a
Hurricanes club they haven't beaten since March 29, 2008. Tampa Bay has lost
eight in a row to Carolina, including all six meetings last year and this
season's shootout decision earlier in the week.
Smith has never beaten Carolina, going 0-4-3 with a 3.34 goals against average
versus the club lifetime.
The 'Canes found their offense on Friday, getting a goal from seven different
skaters in a 7-2 victory over the Panthers. Carolina had netted just three
goals in its first three games, but have still won two straight.
"It was good," said Carolina coach Paul Maurice about getting contributions
from several players. "We go three games with people who expect to score but
don't and they feel it right away, and hopefully those guys got a little more
confidence with the puck now."
Jussi Jokinen, who scored on Tuesday versus Tampa Bay, led the way with a goal
and two assists. The former Lightning skater has two goals and an assist in
four games versus his former club.
Matt Cullen, Tuomo Ruutu and Rod Brind'Amour each had a goal and assist for
the Hurricanes, while Cam Ward made 25 saves in the win. Ward is 13-7-1 with a
2.65 GAA in his career against the Lightning, making 29 saves in Tuesday's
triumph.
Carolina went 19-16-6 as the guest last year, but was drilled 7-2 in Boston
last Saturday in its only other road game this year. Five of the club's next
six games are on the road.
The Hurricanes could have Joni Pitkanen back in the lineup tonight after he
missed Friday's contest due to a stiff knee. The defenseman had made his
season debut in Tuesday's game after having minor knee surgery in September.
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