Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Game Preview
By Marc Penner
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning
March 03.2022
Puck Drop 6pm Est
Location: Amalie Arena – Tampa Bay, FL
By The Numbers…as of March 02.22
Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season (They did not play each other)
Current: 2021-22 – Penguins 1 Win – 1 Loss
Oct21.21 Pens Win 6-2
Oct26.21 Pens Lose 5-1
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The Pittsburgh Penguins began this season with a Bang, beating the Back-to-Back Champion Tampa Bay Lightning, in the season opener. I must admit, this game made me stand up and take notice that the Penguins might be for real this year. Of course, the Pens slumped in October, then corrected the ship in November. Which brings us to this game.
The defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning had a little bit of cup hangover to start the season. They hovered around .500 with a 3-game losing streak in October. They then put together a couple of 3-game winning streaks in late October and again in late November.
December saw them string together a 5-game win streak and are currently on a 5-game win streak as they face the Penguins.
Tampa Bay sits on top of the Atlantic Division and looks poised to make a run at a 3-peat.
Familiar faces lead the Lightning again this season. With Stamkos, Hedman and Vasilevskiy, on the team, you are never far away from the cup contender conversation.
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The Penguins are on a current 2-game winning streak. I would think this is “A Statement Game,” for the Penguins, to prove they can hang with the cool kids (TB), as well as prove to the NHL, they can beat anyone on any given night.
I feel the Penguins need to win this game. However, this will be a let-down game. Pens to Lose.
How do the Pens stack up against The Bolts? This one is Must-See-TV, and as always, “a must compete at a high-level” game.
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Tampa Bay – Players to Watch
Stamkos #91 -12th Overall in the NHL scoring, with 60 points.
Hedman #77 – 3rd Overall in the NHL for defensemen scoring, with 51 points.
Vasilevskiy #88 – 5th Overall in the NHL with a 2.27 GAA.
The Bolts are 17th overall in the NHL in Power Play goals with a 20.3% conversion percentage.
The Lightning are 16th in the NHL in Penalty Kill, with a 80.0% Kill Rate.
Brayden Point is back from injury. Only playing in 38 games so far, Point is back to his old scoring ways, netting 40 points to date.
The Lightning boast 8, double-digit scorers on the team with another two players hanging onto 9 goals as we speak. That my friends, is called, depth scoring.
The Bolts D are as good as any in the League. Hedman #77, McDonagh #27 and Sergachev #98 anchor this D-Crew, which shows very few cracks.
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Pittsburgh – Players to Watch
Guentzel #59, 24th Overall in the NHL scoring, with 53 points.
Crosby #87, has 50 points in 43 games, since returning from injury.
Letang #58, 6th Overall in the NHL for defensemen scoring, with 48 points.
The Penguin Power Play that had a 10.8% conversion rate in October, is now at 22.0%, which is ranked 13th overall in the NHL. The Penguin Power Play is actually ranked 1st overall in the NHL since Jan01.2022, clipping at 29.1%.
Jarry #35, 6th Overall in the NHL with 2.33 GAA.
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Game Analysis / Pens Scouting Report
Pittsburgh Penguins Record 33-14-8 = 74 Pts (2nd in the Metropolitan)
TB Record 35-11-6 = 76 Pts (1st in the Atlantic)
Pittsburgh Goals For 178
TB Goals For 182
Pittsburgh Goals Against 148
TB Goals Against 146
Pittsburgh Goal Differential +30
TB Goal Differential +36
Pittsburgh Power Play 22.0%
TB Power Play 20.3%
Pittsburgh Penalty Kill 85.8%
TB Penalty Kill 80.0%
Pittsburgh Penalty Minutes 360
TB Penalty Minutes 546
Pittsburgh Penguins Penalty Kill Dissected. light. Trending
Pittsburgh Shots Per Game 34.8
TB Shots Per Game 30.0
Pittsburgh Team Faceoff 50.6%
TB Team Faceoff 49.6%
Pittsburgh Team Goals Against Average 2.60
TB Team Goals Against Average 2.73
Pittsburgh Team Save % .918
TB Team Save % .913
Pittsburgh G – Jarry #35 2.33 GAA
TB G- Vasilevskiy #88 2.27 GAA
Pittsburgh G – Jarry #35 .921 Save %
TB G- Vasilevskiy #88 .921 Save %
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Key Injuries: Tampa Bay Lightning
Bogosian – D Jan26.22 Lower Body
Key Injuries: Pittsburgh Penguins
Blueger-F Jan22.22 IR Jaw
Zucker -F Jan19.22 IR Core Muscle
Domingue-G Jan19.22 ID Lower Body
Matheson – D Feb25.22 Upper Body
Pens Picks Quick View
Offense: Tampa Bay
Defense: Pittsburgh
Special Teams: Pittsburgh
Shots Per Game: Pittsburgh
Faceoff Win%: Pittsburgh
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My View from the Cheap Seats
I always enjoy watching a game like this one. The intensity, the speed, and the balanced overall team play. We know the Penguins can beat Tampa Bay. I would rather that happen in May.
I predicted, in my article, “The Penguins vs the Eastern Conference – Part 2”, that this will be a let-down game for the Penguins. The Stats say different.
In my humble opinion, comparing and analyzing the data listed above, in My Scouting Report, I still feel the same way, Penguins to Lose.
Quote of the Day
“Welcome to Champa Bay “
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The below Video was Posted After the Article was written.
I should have TRUSTED MY SCOUTING REPORT instead of overthinking the eye test…:)