Lightning 6 - 2 Hurricanes
Final
  for this game

Hurricanes eye playoff spot in clash with Lightning

Apr 9, 2011 - 3:22 PM (Sports Network) - With a brilliant stretch run, the Carolina Hurricanes have grabbed control of their playoff destiny and they hope to reap the rewards of that enviable situation today.

In fact, by the time Carolina hosts the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at RBC Center the Hurricanes could already have clinched the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Hurricanes and New York Rangers are tied at 91 points and are the only teams left fighting for the East's final postseason spot. Both clubs are playing their last games of the regular season today, but Carolina has an inside track on the eighth seed as they hold the tiebreaker over the Rangers.

In order for New York to claim the playoff spot it would have to win this afternoon against visiting New Jersey and then hope for a Lightning victory tonight in Raleigh. A loss by the Rangers will result in Carolina winning the eighth seed.

Should Carolina need to win tonight's game to gain entrance to the postseason, the Lightning could prove to be a tough opponent considering the recent series. Tampa has taken three of five from the Hurricanes this season and the Lightning recorded a 4-2 win the last time the clubs met on March 26 in Raleigh. The Lightning have taken five of eight and six of 10 overall in the series, but the Bolts have dropped nine of their last 11 at RBC Center.

However, the playoff-bound Lightning do not have anything of great importance to play for tonight, as they are locked into the fifth seed in the East.

Carolina left nothing to chance in Friday's game in Atlanta, as the Hurricanes steamrolled the host Thrashers by a 6-1 score. Tuomo Ruutu and Jeff Skinner each had a goal and two assists for the Hurricanes, who have won five of their last six games and are 8-1-1 over their last 10 trips to the ice.

Jussi Jokinen added a goal and an assist and Cam Ward needed to make just 18 saves for the win.

"We knew we had to come out with some jump," said Skinner. "We had a lot of chances. It would've been nice to get a shutout for (Ward)."

Carolina has won four of its last six home games and is 22-13-5 at RBC Center this season.

The Lightning enter tonight having won six of their last seven games and Tampa recorded a victory Friday in its final home test of the regular season. Vincent Lecavalier scored two goals, Dwayne Roloson made 23 saves and the Lightning doubled up the Florida Panthers, 4-2, at St. Pete Times Forum.

"It's all about trying to get momentum (heading into) the playoffs," Lecavalier said.

Ryan Malone also registered a goal and an assist for Tampa Bay, which will face either Philadelphia or Pittsburgh in the opening round of the playoffs.

Lightning defensemen Victor Hedman missed Friday's game with a lower body injury and he is questionable for tonight's game.

Tampa Bay has a 20-14-6 record as the visiting team this season. The Bolts had won three in a row on the road before losing Tuesday in Buffalo.






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