Penguins vs. Lightning: Looking to Strike Twice
The Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second time in under a week.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are victors of three straight games as they travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning. The Penguins dismantled the Lightning in their last meeting and are looking for a similar result.
1. Penguins Look for Another Offensive Outburst
It may come as a surprise, but the Penguins have had the Lightning's number this season. The Penguins are 2-0 versus the Lightning this year, and have outscored them 13-5. The Penguins average 3.23 goals per game, good for 13th in the league, but suddenly become a six goal-per-game team when playing the Lightning. The Penguins would love to put up another high-scoring affair, but they may have more trouble in this particular matchup.
2. Penguins Can't Avoid Vasilevskiy Again
Part of the reason the Penguins were able to score six and seven goals in their two games against the Lightning is because they faced Tampa Bay's back-up goaltender. This likely won't be the case in this game, as superstar Andrei Vasilevskiy will patrol the pipes for the Lightning. He carries a 9-5 career record against the Penguins, but he's won five of his last seven starts versus Pittsburgh. With respect to Lightning back-up goalie, Brian Elliott, Vasilevskiy will be a much tougher goalie to crack in this match.
3. Jason Zucker In Stride
Jason Zucker is playing his best hockey for the Penguins. Zucker has 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 58 games played this season. The second line has been leading the Penguins during their three game win streak, and Zucker has a goal in each of the past two games. His three goals in the last five games is the most amongst the Penguins in that span, and he and his line mates will need another dominant effort against the Lightning if the Penguins want to win a fourth straight game.
The Penguins and Lightning face-off at 7:00 p.m. at Amalie Arena.
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