Tampa Bay Lightning @ Vancouver Canucks Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning (28-13-1) are set to face the Vancouver Canucks (18-22-3) for the second time in a week tonight. Puck drop is a later one scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET. FanDuel has the Bolts favored again at -184 with an over/under set at 6.5.

The Canucks visited the Lightning in Tampa just last Thursday, January 12th where the Bolts secured a 5-4 win. Three goals in the second period along with Stamkos’ 499th of his career in the third period propelled the Lightning to a needed victory. Tonight, the Bolts aim to sweep the season series against the Canucks yet again after doing so last season as well as keeping their own winning streak going.

Tonight’s @NewAmsterdam Goal of the Game? Stammer’s 499th. 😏#NHLAllStarVote | @RealStamkos91 pic.twitter.com/B9VVLvopYU

Tampa Bay kept their heater going on Monday afternoon when they stopped in Seattle on their road trip and made quick work of the surging Kraken. A 4-1 win was more lopsided than it appeared however, with two empty net goals by the Lightning late extending the lead even further.

The Canucks, on the other hand, were finally able to halt a four-game skid on Sunday with a 4-3 shootout win over a very good Carolina Hurricanes team. Vancouver seemed to take advantage of a tired Carolina team and continued to fight the whole way before Elias Pettersson sealed the game with a final shootout goal. A much-needed win for the Canucks to avoid going 0-5 on their road trip.

This is the first game of a back-to-back night of games for the Tampa Bay Lightning, traveling again tomorrow to face off with Edmonton. So far this year, the Lightning are 5-2 in the first game of a back-to-back. It’ll be interesting to see if Brian Elliott draws the start in net tonight against a Vancouver team that doesn’t quite possess the offensive firepower of the Edmonton Oilers in the game tomorrow.

INJURIES: Lightning LW Rudolfs Balcers is nearing a return after continuing to condition with the Syracuse Crunch. D Nick Perbix is labeled “day-to-day” after missing the game in Seattle. He’ll likely be questionable for tonight.

Vancouver forwards Michael Ferland & Tanner Pearson along with D Tucker Poolman remain on IR.  D Travis Dermott and G Thatcher Demko are considered “day-to-day” and uncertain to play in tonight’s game.

Odds (Courtesy of FanDuel): TBL -184 ML/VAN +152 ML, O 6.5 -115/U 6.5 -105

Where to watch: Bally Sports Sun, NHL PowerPlay, ESPN+

Where to listen: Lightning Radio 24/7, 102.5 MHz-FM

Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC

January 18, 2023, 10:00 p.m. ET