Here’s when the Hurricanes vs. Lightning NHL playoff series games are, and how to watch
.jpg "Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic makes a pad save on a shot from Tampa Bay Lightning’s Ryan McDonagh as Steven Lorentz (78) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)")
We know a little bit more of the Canes’ playoff schedule after the NHL finally released a few more dates and times following Game 6 of the Toronto-Montreal series late Saturday night.
This we already knew: The Carolina Hurricanes host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday at 5 p.m. in Game 1 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series at PNC Arena. The NHL announced that much Friday.
The latest information from the NHL confirms what many had presumed, that for the first four games, the Hurricanes and Lightning will play on alternating days.
Game 2 also will be played at PNC Arena, on Tuesday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m., televised on NBCSN .
The series will shift to Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, for Games 3 and 4. Game 3 is slated for Thursday, June 3, at 8 p.m. on USA Network, with Game 4 in Tampa on Saturday, June 5, at 4 p.m., also on USA.
We also know that a potential Game 5 would be Tuesday, June 8, in Raleigh; Game 6 would be Thursday, June 10, in Tampa; and Game 7 would be on Saturday, June 12 back in Raleigh. The “if necessary” games have yet to be assigned a time, according to the NHL.
The Canes, who won the Central Division, have the home-ice advantage in the series against Tampa Bay, the 2020 Stanley Cup champion. The Canes announced Saturday that the attendance capacity for Games 1 and 2 would 16,299, an increase from the 12,000 capacity at home games in the first round against Nashville.
Canes president and general manager Don Waddell on Friday did not rule out having a full building should the Canes continue to advance in the playoffs.
“It’s going to be another expense if we want to take that next step,” Waddell said. “But forget about the expense. If we can do it we’re going to do it because having the building full is very exciting not only for the fans but more importantly the players.”
Waddell, in looking as the financial aspects of being in the playoffs, said there is not as big a gain as many might believe because of the costs involved. “Where you do benefit from the playoffs, and we saw it a couple of years ago, is the season-ticket bump we got the following year,” he added.
The Lightning closed out the Florida Panthers is six games, taking a 4-0 victory in Game 6 on Wednesday. The Canes then followed with a 4-3 overtime win Thursday to clinch their first-round series with the Nashville Predators in six games.
In sizing up the matchup against the Lightning, Waddell said, “You’ve got to try to stay out of the penalty box. I think they’re running about 40 percent on their power play, which is remarkable. The five guys they can put out there to run the power play is pretty darn good, maybe the best.
“Both teams skate very well. I think there will be a good flow to the games. Obviously their goaltending is outstanding. For us, we’ve got to be ready to play. If we are, it’s going to be a helluva series.”
The Canes were 4-3-1 against the Lightning in the regular season, going 3-1-0 at home. Rookie goalie Alex Nedeljkovic was 2-1-0 against Tampa Bay, with a 1.02 goals-against average and .962 save percentage.
Nedeljkovic started all six playoff games and had 24 saves Thursday in the clincher.
“He doesn’t look like a rookie,”Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said after the game. “He was solid and that’s what you have to have at this time of year.”
Brind’Amour expressed pride in his team after the six-game series with the Predators, noting their resilience and ability to overcome adversity.
“They take a lot of pride in how they play and how they represent each other and our organization,” he said. “You can see it. I think they also are hungry. They’re hungry and they want to win. They know that it takes a lot to win.”
This story was originally published May 29, 2021 at 11:25 PM.
