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Ramo, Lightning go for two straight against Hurricanes

Dec 22, 2007 - 2:00 PM Carolina (18-15-3) at Tampa Bay (15-17-3) 7:30 pm EST

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) - The Tampa Bay Lightning may have finally found their answer in goal.

The Lightning will start rookie Karri Ramo in net for the second straight game when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.

Ramo, who was recalled from the minors prior to Thursday's game, made 31 saves in a 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. With top netminder Johan Holmqvist sporting a 3.05 goals-against average and getting pulled from three of the last four games, Tampa Bay will likely give the 21-year-old Ramo an extended look in net.

Scoring has never been a problem for the Lightning, who rank third in the Eastern Conference with 105 goals scored and boast the NHL's leading scorer in Vincent Lecavalier, but defense and goaltending has been an Achilles heel all season.

Ramo will have a tough test against the Hurricanes, who are tied for the Eastern Conference lead with 114 goals scored in just 36 games thus far.

Carolina is coming off a 5-4 loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday in which the team squandered a 3-1 lead and allowed two goals in the final period. Also no strangers to lapses on defense, the Hurricanes have allowed 116 goals this season, but still claim first place in the Southeast Division due to their dominant offense.

The Lightning have won three of the four meetings between the teams this season, including 6-1 and 5-1 blowouts. Lecavalier has six goals against Carolina so far this season, including a hat trick.

The Hurricanes will be without one of their top scorers in right wing Justin Williams, who tore his left ACL in Thursday's game and is likely through for the season.