Hurricanes vs. Lightning Prediction & Picks - Feb. 26

A pair of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, the Carolina Hurricanes (second at 36-15-6) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (first at 37-14-4), square off on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Sign up for ESPN+ today to watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more.

Ahead of watching this matchup, here's a glimpse at which squad we pick to bring home the victory in Thursday's action on the ice.

Over the past 10 contests, the Lightning have recorded an 8-1-1 record after putting up 37 total goals (10 power-play goals on 30 power-play opportunities during that time, for a success rate of 33.3%). Their opponents have scored a combined 21 goals in those games.

Hurricanes vs. Lightning Predictions for Thursday

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

• Moneyline Pick: Hurricanes (-156)
• Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.0 goals on average)
• Spread Pick: Lightning (+1.5)

Watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more streaming all season on ESPN+.

Hurricanes Splits and Trends

• The Hurricanes are 10-6-16 in overtime games as part of a 36-15-6 overall record.
• Carolina has 29 points (13-2-3) in the 18 games it has played that were decided by one goal.
• In the eight games this season the Hurricanes recorded just one goal, they've finished 1-7-0 (two points).
• Carolina has taken eight points from the seven games this season when it scored two goals (4-3-0 record).
• The Hurricanes are 31-4-6 in the 41 games when they have scored more than two goals (to register 68 points).
• In the 20 games when Carolina has scored a lone power-play goal, it has a 14-5-1 record (29 points).
• In the 45 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Carolina is 32-9-4 (68 points).
• The Hurricanes have been outshot by opponents in 10 games, going 3-5-2 to register eight points.

Lightning Splits and Trends

• The Lightning (37-14-4 overall) have posted a record of 9-4-13 in games that have required OT this season.
• Tampa Bay has earned 18 points (8-7-2) in its 17 games decided by one goal.
• This season the Lightning scored only one goal in five games and have gone 2-2-1 (five points).
• Tampa Bay has earned 11 points (4-5-3 record) this season when scoring exactly two goals .
• The Lightning have earned 64 points in their 37 games with at least three goals scored.
• This season, Tampa Bay has scored a single power-play goal in 18 games and picked up 26 points with a record of 12-4-2.
• When it outshoots its opponent this season, Tampa Bay has posted a record of 19-9-3 (41 points).
• The Lightning's opponents have had more shots in 24 games. The Lightning went 18-5-1 in those matchups (37 points).

Looking for NHL tickets? Head to StubHub today and see your team live.

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

Sign up for ESPN+ to watch the Hurricanes play Lightning.