Game #41 - vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Game 41 - vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning (24-11-5, 53 points) at Penguins (25-12-3, 53 points)

Why does it matter?
This game might be more difficult than the Winter Classic. The Lightning have been red hot, going 9-2 over their past 11.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Forget the Winter Classic - the Pens have lost three of their past four games.
• Lightning - In addition to their hot streak, the Lighting just finished off the Caps in Washington tonight.

Questions to be answered

• Will the Bolts stick with Roloson after his shutout? Isn't he too old to play back-to-back?
• Which team will score 5? The winning team has scored five in each of the first two games between these teams this year (they split, by the way).
• Will Conner continue to sit with Staal returning? Who else would you sit instead of Conner? If it were me, I'd think about Rupp or Asham... depending on the opponent.

Keys to the game

• Focus on the details - four of the past five wins for the Lighting have come in OT. That tells me they're both lucky and good right now.
• Play the PK like you would if Ovechkin is out there... except that Stamkos is the one to watch, and he's more dangerous than Ovechkin is right now. Get ready for his one-timer.
• Don't let St. Louis beat you. He never stops, especially when killing penalties.