The Pittsburgh Penguins will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning for what’s expected to be the top NHL game of this huge slate on Thursday night. Pittsburgh has 69 points and finds itself in the playoff picture with a 30-21-9 record. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, sits at 37-19-4 with 78 points and looks poised to return to the playoffs and make a major run.
Neither team has played too well recently, with both only winning five games in their last 10. Tampa Bay has been able to get two points due to overtime losses in the span, but still, realize that they need to be better if they want to be the team that they’ve been throughout the past few seasons.
Huge Game for the Penguins
While this is also a big game for Tampa Bay, this one is definitely bigger for Pittsburgh. Another win here could be huge for them as they’ve now won three straight and even beat the Lightning less than a week ago. Tampa Bay is going to be one of those teams that Pittsburgh could possibly catch if they can continue to win games at a high level.
If they’re going to win this game, it’s all going to start with what they can do behind the net. When Pittsburgh is at its best, they find ways to keep the puck out of the net. Most of their losses this season are coming when they can’t keep the puck out of the back of the net.
This could be a major issue once again as Tampa Bay can score at an elite level.
Tampa Bay Should Bounce Back
The Tampa Bay Lightning realize that their loss against Pittsburgh last week was inexcusable. Losing 7-3 against any team is a major disappointment, but losing by that many goals to another playoff team just can’t happen at this point in the season. They will need to find a way to keep the puck out of the net in this one as Pittsburgh scored six goals in the second period.
Outside of that six-goal period, the Lighting would’ve won that game 3-1. Perhaps that’s a way that we can look at this game, especially considering that Tampa Bay doesn’t typically do that. Tampa Bay followed that loss up with another loss to the Florida Panthers, 4-1.
The Lightning are just 1-3 in their last four games and must find a way to figure this out if they want to be an elite team.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction
Due to this game being played in Tampa Bay, it might not be a bad idea to take the Lightning. They’re -165 on the moneyline and +150 on the puck line. If you think they can win this game by two or more goals, taking them at -1.5 for +150 odds seems as if it could be profitable.
This is a huge game for Tampa Bay, and they need to find a way to capitalize on that.
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