Game Forty-one: Tampa Bay Lightning (22-15-3) at Pittsburgh Penguins (18-18-8)
Time: 5:00 PM EST
Location: PPG Arena, Pittsburgh
TV/Stream/Radio: FDSNSUN, SN-PIT, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App
Odds: Lightning -148
Know the Opponents: Pensburgh
For the second time in a week, the Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves on the back half of a back-to-back coming off a close, but ultimately unsatisfying outcome. Last weekend they were in Anaheim following a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, and tonight they’ll be in Pittsburgh after their 3-2 overtime loss to New Jersey.
One difference is that, unlike Anaheim, the Penguins are also finishing up a back-to-back, and they had a much rougher go of it on Saturday as they dropped a 5-0 decision to the Ottawa Senators. Alex Nedeljkovak took the brunt of the abuse as he was in net for five goals on seventeen shots. Tristan Jarry relieved him and stopped all five shots he saw in the remaining 33 minutes of action. We’ll have to wait to see which netminder gets the nod tonight.
As for the Lightning, it’s more than likely going to be Jonas Johansson. The Lightning’s affable back-up is nursing a two-game losing streak of his own after a nifty three-game streak. While he’s tampered down the chaos that defined his first three starts, the numbers say he’s performed slightly below expectations in his last two games, posting a -1.09 GSAx against Montreal and a -0.96 GSAx against Anaheim.
It would be nice if the players in front of him give him a little boost. Considering the fact that one of the goals against Boston was an empty-netter, the Bolts have scored three or fewer goals against a live netminder in seven straight games. It’s a lull that is on the cusp of turning into a concern. They are still leading the league with 3.65 goals per game and are third with 2.83 5v5 goals per 60 minutes on the season despite the cold streak.
Coach Cooper mixed things up a little last night as Nick Paul spent some time with Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point while Nikita Kucherov skated with Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel. Even Zemgus “The Hammer” Girgensons was bumped up to play with Conor Geekie and Mikey Eyssimont (they generated 4 shots attempts while allowing 0 in 3:43 of ice time together). Sometimes a little shake-up can pay off down the road so we’ll see if he sticks with it, or goes back to what we’re used to seeing.
Tonight should present a decent opportunity for them to turn things around as Pittsburgh has been struggling to keep the puck out of their net. No team allows more goals than they do at 3.64 a night with 3.12 of those at 5v5. They’ve won just one out of their last six games, but have picked up three additional points via two shoot-out losses and an overtime loss to stay in the crowded playoff picture. They’ve allowed at least three goals in five of those games.
They might also be without noted pain-in-the-Lightning’s-side Evgeni Malkin who has missed the last three games with an injury. Malkin has 64 points (29 goals, 35 assists) in 48 career games against the Bolts, so if he needs another day to rest whatever is ailing him, that’s absolutely okay with us.
That being said, the Bolts can’t concern themselves too much with the other team. They have to focus on how they’re playing, because when they’re playing clean hockey, the opponent doesn’t really matter. A good start (something they didn’t have last night), clean breakouts, and responsible defense are the things that they need to dedicate themselves to against the Penguins.
It’s shaping up to be a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference, so picking up two points against a team they could be battling for a wild card spot is important even in the dog days of January. Take the positive from the third period last night and carry it over into today’s game and good things will happen.
Also, best of luck to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they start their playoff push. Our friends over at Bucs Nation have all the local coverage you may need.
Potential Lines
Tampa Bay Lightning
Forwards:
Jake Guentzel | Brayden Point | Nikita Kucherov |
Brandon Hagel | Anthony Cirelli | Conor Geekie |
Gage Goncalves | Nick Paul | Mikey Eyssimont |
Zemgus Girgensons | Luke Glendening | Mitchell Chaffee |
Defense:
Victor Hedman | Darren Raddysh |
Ryan McDonagh | Erik Cernak |
Emil Lilleberg | Nick Perbix |
Goaltenders:
Jonas Johansson |
Andrei Vasilevskiy |
Pittsburgh Penguins
Forwards:
Rickard Pakell | Sidney Crosby | Bryan Rust |
Michael Bunting | Evgeni Malkin (?) | Anthony Beauvillier |
Drew O’Connor | Kevin Hayes | Jesse Puljujarvi |
Matt Nieto | Blake Lizotte | Noel Acciari |
Defense:
Marcus Petterson | Kris Letang |
Matt Grzelcyk | Erik Karlsson |
Owen Pickering | P.O. Joseph |
Goaltenders:
Tristan Jarry |
Alex Nedeljkovic |