RALEIGH, N.C. — The last time the Lightning faced the Hurricanes at PNC Arena three weeks ago, it was one of Tampa Bay’s low points in the season. The Lightning could get nothing going offensively and returned home frustrated from a 6-0 loss that was one of their most humbling of the year.
In the days since their one-goal loss in Boston on Saturday afternoon, when they showed the physicality and fire they’ve lacked at times this season, players have talked about having a sense of urgency. And that no one step forward matters if you can’t keep plowing through to the postseason.
Playing a Carolina team that pressures the puck at every turn, that throws bodies and sticks any pass coming at them through the neutral zone, the Lightning knew they’d have very little space to operate Tuesday night in Raleigh. If they were going to go back to Tampa with points, the Lightning were going to have to grind through another game.
