With the trade deadline behind them, the Tampa Bay Lightning shift their focus towards the last thirteen games of this 2013 shortened season. One day after acquiring Ben Bishop from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Cory Conacher and a fourth round pick, the Bolts are prepped to take on the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in Raleigh. The Lightning currently sit six points out of the Southeast Division lead with three games in hand on the Winnipeg Jets. So, to be blunt, this team needs wins right now. Tonight’s contest against the Carolina Hurricanes is a must win for the Lightning.

The Lightning and Hurricanes have already met three times this season, and the Lightning have grabbed six of a possible six points. In each of those contests, the Lightning scored at least four goals. Simply put, the Lightning have had a great deal of success against the Hurricanes this season. With the ‘Canes struggling – 1-8-1 in their last ten games – the Lightning have a real opportunity to grab two points tonight.

Tonight’s game marks the start of a mini three game road trip for the Bolts. If Jon Cooper truly believes that his team can make the playoffs this season, this group needs to start winning on the road. With only five road wins this season, it’s fair to say that the Lightning have struggled.

5-4-1 in their last ten, the Lightning have been floating along despite shoddy goaltending and a plethora of injuries. Well, tonight the Bolts are going to get some help in both those areas as Ben Bishop is scheduled to make his Lightning debut and Vincent Lecavalier is set to return after a lengthy stint on the injured reserve.

Prior to his injury, Lecavalier was playing some of his best hockey. With 22 points in 26 games this season, his presence was sorely missed on both the offensive and defensive sides of the puck. Adding him to the power-play and having the ability to roll four lines more comfortably should give the Bolts a big boost tonight.

Bishop, for his part, gives the Lightning something they haven’t had since Anders Lindback went down with an injury. He gives this team solid goaltending, and a real good chance to win. While nobody is expecting him to maintain his statistics at Ottawa-like levels, Bishop will almost certainly be better than Mathieu Garon. He’s big, he’s confident, and he is a smart goaltender.

Dan Ellis will get the start in net for the Hurricanes. With Cam Ward injured, Ellis has performed admirably despite the fact that he was pulled in his last start. He will be in tough tonight against a Lightning offense that can create offense better than most in the league.

All in all, as mentioned, tonight is a must win game for the Lightning. With games in hand on nearly every team ahead of them in the standing, the Bolts need to start making up ground. Tonight provides a perfect opportunity to get that process started. A win tonight enhances the Lightning’s confidence and the chance that they’ll make the playoffs. A loss tonight will send their playoff hopes to a point of near-extinction. There’s a lot on the line; let’s hope the guys are ready.

As always, thanks for reading. Predictions?

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