Hurricanes vs. Lightning Prediction & Picks - Feb. 26

Something has to give when the Carolina Hurricanes (36-15-6, on a three-game winning streak) host the Tampa Bay Lightning (38-14-4, winners of six straight). The contest on Thursday, Feb. 26 starts at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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Prepare for this matchup by checking out our pick for who will emerge with the victory in Thursday's hockey action.

The Lightning have a 9-1-0 record in their past 10 contests. They have scored 39 goals while giving up 21 in that time. On the power play, 31 opportunities have resulted in eight goals (25.8% success rate).

Hurricanes vs. Lightning Predictions for Thursday

Our computer projections model for this matchup predicts a final score of Hurricanes 4, Lightning 3.

• Moneyline Pick: Hurricanes (-146)
• Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
• Spread Pick: Lightning (+1.5)

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Hurricanes Splits and Trends

• The Hurricanes have finished 10-6-16 in overtime contests on their way to an overall record of 36-15-6.
• In the 18 games Carolina has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 13-2-3 record (good for 29 points).
• In the eight games this season the Hurricanes registered only one goal, they've finished 1-7-0 (two points).
• Carolina has taken eight points from the seven games this season when it scored a pair of goals (4-3-0 record).
• The Hurricanes are 31-4-6 in the 41 games when they have scored at least three goals (to record 68 points).
• In the 20 games when Carolina has capitalized on a lone power-play goal, it has a 14-5-1 record (29 points).
• In games when it has outshot its opponent, Carolina is 32-9-4 (68 points).
• The Hurricanes have been outshot by opponents 10 times, and went 3-5-2 (eight points).

Lightning Splits and Trends

• The Lightning have a 9-4-13 record in overtime matchups this season and a 38-14-4 overall record.
• In the 17 games Tampa Bay has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 18 points.
• In five games this season when the Lightning finished a game with only one goal, they earned a total of five points (2-2-1).
• Tampa Bay has 11 points (4-5-3) when scoring exactly two goals this season.
• The Lightning have scored at least three goals 37 times, earning 64 points from those matchups (32-5-0).
• Tampa Bay has scored a single power-play goal in 18 games this season and has registered 26 points from those matchups.
• When outshooting its opponent this season, Tampa Bay is 19-9-3 (41 points).
• The Lightning have been outshot by opponents in 24 games, going 18-5-1 to register 37 points.

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Team Stats Comparison

Hurricanes vs. Lightning Game Time and TV Channel

• When: Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
• TV Channel: ESPN+
• Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
• Where: Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina

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