Pens Head to Tampa Bay for an Afternoon Match-Up…

Previous Meetings This Season

The Penguins have gone 1-1-0 against the Lightning.

Teams records in last 10 games overall

The Penguins have posted a 5-1-4 record over their last 10 games, while the Lightning have gone 3-6-1.

Who’s Hot?

Through the two games this season, Bill Guerin has had the hot hand against the Lightning. The veteran forward has scored a goal in both games. Sidney Crosby has picked up two assists, while Sergei Gonchar has picked a goal and an assist.

Steve Stamkos has led the way for the Lightning, picking up 3 points (1G-2A) in the two games. Marty St. Louis has a goal and an assist, while Vinnie Lecavalier and Mattias Ohlund have each picked up two assists.

Who’s Not?

Tyler Kennedy has obviously been cold, after spending the last two games in the press box. TK has picked up 7 points (2G-5A) in his last 21 games. Though he has been a big part of the Penguins third line this season, I can’t say as though I have missed him the past two games. I would assume that Dan Bylsma might get him back in the line-up for this game considering that his team has lost two in a row.

Former Penguin Ryan Malone has only picked up 3 assists in his last 14 games – an ice cold streak considering the roll he was on earlier in the season. Malone is also a -12 over that span. Rookie Victor Hedman has also been cold lately. He has not picked up a point in 8 games and is a -8 over that stretch.

Trends

Marc-Andre Fleury is 0-2-1 with a 4.77 goals-against average in his last four road starts, getting pulled twice.

Steven Stamkos recently saw his franchise-record 18-game point streak end against the Washington Capitals, but he will have a chance to add to his 11 game home streak.

What to look for:

Look for others to contribute in this one, Sidney Crosby has had some trouble putting up numbers in the Lightning’s building and has notched only 5 points (2G-3A) in eight career games against them.

The Lightning have an impressive 18-8-6 record at home and will be looking to add to it. Especially considering that they are locked in a battle for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

Fun Fact:

Sidney Crosby has 21 goals and 37 points over his last 24 contests; he has points in 16 of his last 18 games notching 29 (15G-14A) over that span.

Steven Stamkos ranks fourth in goals scored before the age of twenty with 55. The only players ahead of him are: Sidney Crosby (75), Ilya Kovalchuk (67) and Rick Nash (58).

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