Lightning at Penguins
THE STORY: The Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins are building a good rivalry after a seven-game playoff series last spring and a spirited pair of games in Tampa this season. The NHL’s leading scorer, Evgeni Malkin, even threw fists with Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier in the last meeting. Tampa Bay is on a 7-1-2 run, playing better defense and leaning on its star-studded offense. Host Pittsburgh, which scored eight goals for the second time Saturday, will be a big test.
TV: 7 p.m. ET; SunSports (Tampa), ROOT (Pittsburgh), RDSI.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (24-24-6): Tampa Bay continues to get solid goaltending from Mathieu Garon, who has not lost in regulation since Pittsburgh beat him 6-3 on Jan. 15. Even though Dwayne Roloson beat the Penguins 4-1 on Nov. 17, Garon is expected to play in the second of a back-to-back. Steven Stamkos is providing big-time offense with five goals and five assists during a six-game points streak. Defenseman Victor Hedman has been a major force since returning from a concussion, averaging almost 23 minutes with a goal, two assists and a plus-2 in six games.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (31-19-5): Malkin has 67 points, including three five-point games. One of those came in the last meeting against Tampa Bay. The big Russian is on a roll and he got some help Saturday when center Jordan Staal returned from a knee injury that has kept him out since Jan. 6. Staal joins productive James Neal and Chris Kunitz as support for Malkin. Also, former MVP Sidney Crosby is back skating with the team. Marc-Andre Fleury has started 13 of the last 14 in net for the Penguins, including Saturday’s 8-5 win over Winnipeg.
OVERTIME:
1. Malkin, Neal and Kunitz have 40 of Pittsburgh’s 79 goals since Dec. 10.
2. The Lightning have killed off 25 of 27 power plays (92.6 percent) the last 10 games.
3. Tampa Bay was outscored 13-2 in two regular-season games at Pittsburgh last season, but won three of four on the Penguins’ home ice in the playoffs.