Tough night in Raleigh as the Lightning dropped a 4-2 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes, a game that saw Rod Brind’Amour celebrate his 600th regular-season game as head coach. The Canes certainly played like they wanted to give him a win, with Svechnikov and Aho each bagging a goal and an assist to lead their offense. While Yanni Gourde and Gabriel Fortier (not D'Astous) found the back of the net for Tampa, it just wasn't enough to overcome a strong Carolina performance.
This loss, bringing our record to 40-21-4, certainly raises a few eyebrows. More concerning, though, is the news that defenseman Declan Carlile will be sidelined for 4-5 weeks with a lower-body injury. With the playoff push in full swing, losing a blueliner for that kind of extended period is a blow we'll need to absorb quickly. We're still in a good spot, but consistent performances and staying healthy are going to be absolutely crucial down the stretch.