Free NHL Picks Today: Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning 3/28/23

Free NHL Picks Today: Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning 3/28/23
Tue 28th March 2023

The Tampa Bay Lightning (42-26-6) and their clutch power play offense are on the road to face the Carolina Hurricanes (47-16-9), one of the league’s top penalty killing teams, at PNC Arena on Tuesday. Tampa Bay is playing their last of four games on the road coming off a 2-1 loss against the Bruins on Saturday, their fourth straight defeat.

The Lightning committed seven penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Victor Hedman was the only player to find the net in regulation for the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy saved an impressive 32 of 34 shots (.941%) in the loss.

Carolina is wrapping up a four-game homestand after a 4-3 shootout loss against the Bruins on Sunday. Sebastian Aho, Brady Skjei, and Jack Drury each scored once for the Hurricanes. Brett Pesce had two assists to lead the team in scoring. Frederik Andersen had 35 saves in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Hurricanes have won both games between the teams this season, including a 6-0 victory in their most recent meeting on March 5. Jesperi Kotkaniemi led Carolina with five points (1G 4A). Andersen saved 14 shots to earn the shutout win.

FACING OFF

Tampa Bay is averaging 3.38 goals per game for the season, 10th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Hurricanes team that is allowing only 2.57 goals a game (2nd).

Meanwhile, Carolina has found the net 3.29 times a game on average, 13th in the league, and the Lightning are allowing opponents to score 3.08 goals per game (13th).

Carolina averages more shots a game (34.8) than most teams in the league, ranking third, though the team’s 9.6% shooting percentage is 21st. With an average of 32.0 attempts, Tampa Bay ranks 13th. Expect multiple power play opportunities for the Hurricanes, as the Lightning are averaging 4.42 penalties per game, fourth-most in the NHL.

The visitors’ 11.72 penalty minutes a game ranks second-highest. The home team has been penalized 3.58 times a game (12th-fewest in the league) for an average of 7.67 minutes (5th-fewest).

The Lightning’s fourth-ranked power play offense (25.00%) will face a tough test against the Hurricanes, who are the league’s second-best penalty killing team (83.77%).

Carolina, meanwhile, has scored on 20.89% of their power play opportunities (16th), which the hosts will be seeking to build on against Tampa Bay’s 15th-ranked 79.40% penalty killing rate.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 102 points this season, third-most in the NHL, Nikita Kucherov is the top skater for the Lightning. He is among the league leaders with 74 assists (2nd) and has added 28 goals of his own. In the net, Vasilevskiy (31-20-4) is Tampa Bay’s top goaltender. He has a 2.69 GAA and a .914% save percentage.

Martin Necas and Aho lead the Hurricanes in scoring with 68 and 62 points, respectively. Necas has 27 goals and 41 assists in 72 games, while Aho has 33 goals and 29 assists in 65 games. Pyotr Kochetkov (12-6-5) has the best goals against average for Carolina at 2.41, fifth-best in the league.

He has a save percentage of .911%. Andersen (19-8-1) has played the most games in net for the Hurricanes this season. He has a 2.45 GAA and a .904% save percentage.

HOME AND AWAY

Tampa Bay is looking to avoid a fourth straight road loss this season. Carolina is 25-9-3 at PNC Arena this season.

SportsTips’ NHL Pick:

Carolina Hurricanes (-135)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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