Hurricanes Face Lightning in First Preseason Road Game

TAMPA, Fla. – The Carolina Hurricanes are set to hit the road for their first preseason game away from home, facing off against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena.

The matchup is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 26, with puck drop at 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can follow the game live on ESPN+ or through the Hurricanes’ app and local radio station, 99.9 The Fan.

After a disappointing 4-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, the Hurricanes, currently 0-2 in the preseason, are eager to secure their first win. In their previous outing, Carolina lost after holding a 2-0 lead, highlighting the need for a full 60-minute performance.

This time, the Hurricanes are traveling with only three main roster players: Jesperi Kotkaniemi, William Carrier, and Alexander Nikishin. The rest of the lineup includes AHL players, depth pieces, and prospects.

During the preseason, Kotkaniemi has been a standout, scoring 12 goals in each of the past two seasons, while also tallying 33 points last season. He joins notable teammates like Givani Smith and Ryan Suzuki as the team looks for more offensive contributions.

The Lightning, enjoying a 2-0-0 start in the preseason after defeating the Nashville Predators 3-2 in a shootout on Tuesday, will be a formidable opponent. Boris Katchouk scored the decisive goal in that game for Tampa.

As the Hurricanes prepare for this critical matchup, both teams look to build momentum. The Hurricanes and Lightning are determined to establish their identities ahead of the regular season, making tonight’s game a key early testing ground.

Following tonight’s faceoff, Carolina’s next game will be against the Nashville Predators on September 28.