It has been a good stretch for the Carolina Hurricanes, but oddly they might have more questions than answers.
They could be down another goalie when the Tampa Bay Lightning visits for Friday night’s game in Raleigh, N.C.
With Carolina goalie Frederik Andersen already out an undetermined length of time with a medical condition, the situation at that position became more concerning when Antti Raanta left after one period Wednesday night in a 6-3 victory against the Edmonton Oilers. Pyotr Kochetkov came on in relief and would likely start Friday if Raanta can’t go.
“He just felt something a little funny,” coach Rod Brind’Amour said of Raanta, who has registered a team-high six wins. “Nothing serious, we didn’t think, but we didn’t want to take a chance. Just precautionary, really.”
Still, the goalie situation might have to be addressed. Carolina doesn’t have consecutive days without games until Dec. 10-11.
Tampa Bay’s goalie situation is clearer. On Friday, Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy was activated off injured reserve and will make his season debut against the Hurricanes, coach Jon Cooper announced.
Vasilevskiy underwent surgery to repair a lumbar disc herniation in his back in September. Jonas Johansson (8-4-5, 3.41 goals-against average, .894 save percentage) made the bulk of the starts in his absence, with Matt Tomkins adding three appearances before being placed on waivers.
Tampa Bay won three consecutive games until dropping an overtime decision Wednesday night to the Winnipeg Jets.
“Gave up a little bit too much,” Cooper said. “It just got away from us.”
Albeit a somewhat slow process, the Lightning might be rounding into form.
“We’re trying to improve,” captain Steven Stamkos said. “I think we are. It’s not going to happen in one night, but that’s points in four straight games. It’s just a little sour right now because I thought we should’ve got two points in that one.”
Too many deficits have hampered the Lightning, and it’s bound to impact their in-game strategies.
“We’re getting better as a team,” Cooper said. “I think when you have more confidence in yourself, your ability to come back heightens. In saying that, that means we’re behind. And we’ve got to fix that.”
Stamkos has a three-game goals streak. His power-play tally in the Winnipeg game moved him into a tie for 20th in NHL history with 198.
The Hurricanes have won two straight and three of their last four games. They’re also coming off a record-setting performance.
Fifteen skaters had a goal or an assist, marking the most Carolina players on the scoresheet since the former Hartford Whalers relocated to North Carolina prior to the 1997-98 season.
The Hurricanes got a solid outing from defenseman Jalen Chatfield in his first outing after being a healthy scratch for three games. He had two assists.
“It’s tough to sit out for too long,” Brind’Amour said. “He didn’t look like he missed a beat, so that was good.”
Carolina forward Jack Drury, who has played in all 18 games, registered his first goal of the season.
“It was nice to see him get rewarded,” Brind’Amour said.
This will be the final meeting of the regular season between the Hurricanes and Lightning. Tampa Bay won 3-0 at home Oct. 24, but the Hurricanes responded with a 4-0 victory in Tampa on Nov. 11.
This begins a three-game road stretch for the Lightning, who are 3-4-2 away from Tampa. Carolina is 6-1-0 at home.
–Field Level Media
