Lightning Come to Town With Early Game, Kraken Face Tough Test
The Tampa Bay Lightning are rolling into Climate Pledge Arena at 10 p.m. ET, and they're bringing serious heat. Tampa sits at 40-21-4 on the season, while the Kraken are at 31-26-9. This matchup airs on The Spot, HBO MAX, and TNT, so clear your schedule.
Lightning Bring Their Best
Tampa's lineup is stacked with star power. Nikita Kucherov is centering Jake Guentzel and Gage Goncalves on the second line, while Brayden Point anchors the middle. Anthony Cirelli's line features Brandon Hagel and some solid depth. The Lightning have weapons everywhere, and their defense core of Victor Hedman and Erik Cernak is as reliable as they come. Andrei Vasilevskiy is in net.
The Lightning aren't at full strength though. Dominic James (lower body), Max Crozier (core muscle), and Emil Lilleberg (facial fracture) are all out. Lilleberg's dealing with the fracture he sustained during practice on March 4, so he's been progressing in a noncontact jersey with a cage. Tampa held an optional morning skate before heading west.
Kraken Fighting Back
Seattle's got some lineup decisions to make. Eeli Tolvanen is a game-time decision with an undisclosed injury, according to coach Lane Lambert. If Tolvanen can't go, Frederick Gaudreau slides into the second line and Jacob Melanson gets back in the mix after being a healthy scratch the past two games. The Kraken are rolling with Matty Beniers, Jared McCann, Chandler Stephenson, and Berkly Catton up front. On the blue line, Vince Dunn, Adam Larsson, and Brandon Montour are ready to work. Joey Daccord is between the pipes.
Jaden Schwartz is also out with an upper body injury. Josh Mahura, Cale Fleury, and Matt Murray are scratched.
What's Next
This is a heavyweight matchup with real playoff implications lurking. The Lightning are on a tear, and the Kraken need to tighten up defensively. Puck drops at 10 p.m. ET. Let's go, Kraken.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.