by Andrew Lauro – Wannamakeabet Staff Writer
Tampa Bay Lightning 16-4-2 (-110) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 11-10-3 (-110) 11/25/17 @ 7:00PM EST
The Lightning are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. The Penguins have lost 3 in a row, losing to the Boston Bruins yesterday 4-3. The Lightning in their last 10 games are 7-2-1 while the Penguins are 3-5-2. It’ll be interesting to see who’s in net tonight for both teams who played yesterday.
According to the Lightning website Peter Budaj is expected to start in tonight’s game. He’s only played 3 games so far posting a 1-1-1 record with a GAA of 3.33 and a .873 SV %. In his career vs Pittsburgh, he’s 3-2-2 with a GAA 2.87 and a SV% .909. Budaj doesn’t have great numbers on the season let alone against the Penguins throughout his career. I feel that Budaj is the only weakness in the lineup going into tonight’s game because of his lack of play, and his stats, but If the offense and defense play great around Budaj the Lightning can win this game. Tampa Bay has the No. 1 and 2 leading scorers in the NHL with Steven Stamkos (36 points) and Nikita Kucherov (34). They also have the offensive league leader in goals (Kucherov, 17), and assists (Stamkos, 26).
The Penguins must get out of this slump their in. They are a -20 in goal differential as a team. They gave up 83 GA which is 2nd in the league. They don’t seem like they’re playing like former Stanley Cup champions. Evgeni Malkin will be out for tonight’s game with an upper body injury. Lookout for Jake Guentzel he has 3 goals in his last 2 games, all on the powerplay, and 5 goals in his last 6 contests. Goalie Matt Murray starting yesterday against Boston, it’ll be interesting to see who will get the nod today. Backup Tristan Jarry started 2 games this year losing both games in overtime. It’s going to be tough for the Penguins to win this one the numbers don’ seem to be in their favor, but their home record is 6-2-1.
These are the stats from the past 10 games these teams played each other.
| Tampa Bay | Pittsburgh | |
| Record | 4-6-0 | 6-3-1 |
| GF Average | 3.20 | 3.70 |
| Shots Per Game Average | 28.50 | 37.40 |
| PP Goals | 9 | 11 |
| Number of PP’s | 31 | 38 |
| PP % | 29.03% | 28.95 |
| PK % | 71.05% | 70.97% |
Although the head to head numbers seem to favor Pittsburgh. Take the Lightning at (-110). Also with the Lightning leading the league in goals per game at 3.77, and the Penguins giving up the 2nd most goals in the league, place a wager on the over/under. Over (5.5).