WHERE: RBC Center, Raleigh

TV: FSN RADIO: WCMC-99.9

TICKETS: (919) 834-4000

CAROLINA

Canes come home for back-to-back

This is the final set of back-to-back games for the Hurricanes this season. They're 6-9-2 in the second halves so far, including Saturday's 2-1 loss at the Lightning. ... The Canes trail the Lightning 3-4-0 this season. Carolina hasn't won a season series against Tampa Bay since 2001-02 and is 10-16-7 against the Lightning since then. ... Wade Brookbank, Tim Conboy and Dennis Seidenberg were healthy scratches Tuesday.

PLAYER TO WATCH

CAM WARD, G

If Ward makes his 19th straight start tonight, it would be the longest run for a Carolina goaltender since Arturs Irbe started 40 in a row in 2000-01. (Kevin Weekes started 18 straight in 2003-04.) Ward is 3-3-0 with a 2.36 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage against Tampa Bay this season.

TAMPA BAY

Lightning could strike twice

Coming off the home win over Carolina on Saturday, the Lightning crashed to a 2-0 loss at the hands of the Atlanta Thrashers on Monday. ... The Lightning has not given up a power-play goal in four games and has gone 54-for-60 on the penalty kill over the past 14 games. ... The Bolts have been outscored 111-73 in the third period. ... Ryan Craig (knee), Chris Gratton (hip) and Paul Ranger (back) are out.

PLAYER TO WATCH

VINCENT LECAVALIER, C

Tied for sixth in the NHL with 90 points going into Tuesday's games, Lecavalier has gone five games without a goal and has only one assist over that span. In seven games against Carolina this season, Lecavalier has six goals and five assists -- all in the first four meetings. He's scoreless in the past three.