Hurricanes vs Lightning Prediction NHL Picks Free 03/28

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Game Preview: Lightning vs Hurricanes

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes are set to face off on March 28, 2023, in what promises to be an exciting NHL game. Despite being third in the Atlantic Division, the Lightning trail the Hurricanes, who currently sit atop the Metropolitan Division. The Lightning head into this matchup with a four-game losing streak, while the Hurricanes have posted a 5-4-1 record in their last ten games. NHL picks experts and computers alike may vary in their predictions for this game, but it's sure to be a close matchup given how the teams have performed lately. The Hurricanes have been dominant on home ice, going 25-9-3 overall. They've also been clutch in close games, boasting a record of 19-3-6 in games decided by a goal. Meanwhile, the Lightning have struggled on the road, going just 17-19-1. However, they lead the NHL in penalty minutes per game, with an average of 11.7. In their previous matchup this season, the Hurricanes won 4-3 in a shootout. This time around, both teams will be looking to come out on top. NHL today experts and their predictions may vary, but the game will ultimately come down to which team can execute their game plan better. Martin Necas and Nikita Kucherov are the top performers for the Hurricanes and Lightning, respectively. The Hurricanes will be without Antti Raanta, Ondrej Kase, Jake Gardiner, Max Pacioretty, and Andrei Svechnikov due to injuries. The Lightning, on the other hand, have no players listed as injured. With the NHL picks and parlays, the best NHL bets today may vary, but fans can expect an exciting matchup as both teams fight for the win. When it comes to offense, the Lightning have been struggling as of late with a four-game losing streak heading into their matchup against the Hurricanes. They will need to step up their game if they hope to compete with a Hurricanes team that is first in the Metropolitan Division and has a record of 47-16-9 overall. While the Lightning have some top performers in Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, they will need more than just two players to contribute if they want to come out on top. However, their penalty minutes per game rank first in the NHL, which could put them at a disadvantage if they continue to rack up penalties against a strong Hurricanes team. Expert NHL picks and computer NHL picks may not be in favor of the Lightning's offense for this game, but they will need to prove them wrong if they hope to improve their standing in the Atlantic Division.

Lightning: Offense Analysis

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been one of the most potent offensive teams in the NHL over the past few seasons, and this year is no exception. Led by the dynamic duo of Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, the Lightning have averaged 3.38 goals per game, which ranks them fifth in the league. Kucherov has been a driving force for the Lightning, leading the team in points with 102 (28 goals, 74 assists) in just 65 games played. He has been a model of consistency for the Lightning and has shown no signs of slowing down.

Point, meanwhile, leads the team in goals with 45 and has been a force on the power play, scoring 18 of his goals with the man advantage. He has also been clutch for the Lightning, scoring 11 game-winning goals this season. Beyond Kucherov and Point, the Lightning have a deep and talented roster, with players like Steven Stamkos, Ondrej Palat, and Alex Killorn all capable of contributing on offense.

Despite their strong offensive performance this season, the Lightning have struggled as of late, losing their past four games. They will look to get back on track against a tough Carolina Hurricanes team in their upcoming matchup. While the Hurricanes have a strong defensive unit, the Lightning's offensive firepower cannot be underestimated, and they will look to use their speed and skill to create scoring chances and put pressure on the Hurricanes' goaltending.

Lightning: Defensive Analysis

As the Tampa Bay Lightning head into this matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, their defense will be a key factor in determining whether they break their four-game losing streak or continue to struggle against a strong opponent. The Lightning's penalty kill has been one of their strengths this season, ranking first in the NHL with an 85.4% success rate. However, they also lead the league in penalty minutes per game with an average of 11.7. Against a team like the Hurricanes, who possess a potent power play unit, the Lightning will need to remain disciplined and avoid giving their opponents too many opportunities on the man advantage. In terms of shot suppression, the Lightning rank in the middle of the pack, allowing an average of 30.3 shots against per game. They will need to tighten up defensively and limit the Hurricanes' scoring chances, as Carolina is second in the league in goals per game with an average of 3.40. Players like Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh will need to step up and lead the Lightning's defensive efforts, while goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy will need to be at his best to keep his team in the game. Overall, the Lightning's defensive performance will be crucial to their success in this matchup. If they can remain disciplined, limit the Hurricanes' scoring chances, and get solid goaltending, they could have a chance to snap their losing streak and come away with a much-needed win.

Hurricanes: Offense Analysis

The Hurricanes have been nothing but impressive this season, especially on offense. They currently sit in first place in the Metropolitan Division and have a record of 47-16-9. It's no wonder why NHL picks experts and computer models alike are favoring them in their predictions. The team's offense is led by Martin Necas, who has 27 goals and 41 assists. He's been a force to be reckoned with and will be looking to continue his impressive form in the upcoming game against the Lightning. Sebastian Aho has also been stepping up recently, scoring six goals and adding one assist in his last 10 games. The Hurricanes have been winning games by small margins, with a record of 19-3-6 in games decided by a goal. This shows that their offense is capable of putting up just enough points to secure a victory. NHL picks and parlay experts have been taking notice of this and choosing the Hurricanes as the best NHL bets today. On the other hand, the Lightning have been struggling recently, losing four straight games. This presents a great opportunity for the Hurricanes to capitalize on their opponents' weaknesses and add another win to their record. Overall, the Hurricanes offense is in great shape and they should have no problem putting up points against the Lightning. NHL picks with spread suggest they will win by a comfortable margin. If the team continues to play at this level, there's no doubt they'll remain a top contender in the NHL predictions today.

Hurricanes: Defensive Analysis

The Carolina Hurricanes have been one of the top teams in the NHL this season and their defense has been one of the reasons for their success. They have allowed just 2.31 goals per game, which is the second-best mark in the league. Their penalty killing has also been outstanding, as they have killed off 84.4% of their opponents' power plays. The Hurricanes have a strong defensive unit led by Jaccob Slavin and Dougie Hamilton. Slavin is a stalwart defensive defenseman who can shut down opposing teams' top lines, while Hamilton is an offensive defenseman who can contribute offensively while also being sound defensively. The Hurricanes' blue line also includes Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei, and Jake Bean, who are all solid two-way defensemen. In goal, the Hurricanes have two solid options in Petr Mrazek and Alex Nedeljkovic. Mrazek has been the team's starter for most of the season and has a 2.00 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. Nedeljkovic has emerged as a strong backup option and has a 1.93 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage. Against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have a potent offense led by Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, the Hurricanes will need to be at their best defensively. They will need to limit the Lightning's scoring chances and be strong on the penalty kill. The Hurricanes' defense will also need to contribute offensively, as they have done throughout the season, to help the team win. In conclusion, the Hurricanes' defense has been one of the best in the league this season and will need to continue to be strong against the Lightning. With their strong defensive unit and solid goaltending, the Hurricanes are well-equipped to shut down the Lightning's offense and come away with the win.

Injury Report

Injuries may play a role in the upcoming game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes are dealing with a few key players on the sidelines, including Antti Raanta who is day-to-day with a lower body injury, Ondrej Kase who is out due to a concussion, Jake Gardiner who is out with a hip/back injury, Max Pacioretty who is out with an achilles injury, and Andrei Svechnikov who is out for the season due to a knee injury. On the other hand, the Lightning seem to be in good shape with no one listed on their injury report. This may be an advantage for the team as they try to break their four-game losing streak. Overall, these injuries may impact the performance of the Hurricanes and provide an opportunity for the Lightning to bounce back. It will be important to keep an eye on these injuries leading up to the game and let the NHL picks experts, NHL picks computer, and NHL today experts factor this information into their NHL picks, NHL picks and parlay, and NHL experts picks today. The best NHL bets today will likely depend on the injury report and other factors, such as NHL picks with spread, NHL predictions today, and NHL picks odds.

NHL Game Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The Tampa Bay Lightning are visiting the Carolina Hurricanes with a four-game losing streak. It's going to be a tough fight for the Lightning as they face one of the best teams in the Metropolitan Division. However, they will give their best to bring their A-game to the ice and snap their losing streak. The Hurricanes, on the other hand, are coming off a couple of losses and will definitely want to get back to their winning ways. There's no doubt that both teams have incredible players that can turn the game around at any moment. However, the Hurricanes have been doing better in terms of wins and losses lately. They have the home-ice advantage and are exceptional at games decided by one goal. While the Lightning have the upper hand when it comes to penalties and powerplays, it might not be enough to overpower Carolina.

Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (Moneyline)