Final
Likely without Crosby, Penguins host Lightning
Mar 20, 2008 - 1:49 PM Tampa Bay (29-36-8) at Pittsburgh (41-25-7) 7:30 pm EDTPITTSBURGH (Ticker) - The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to be without reigning NHL MVP Sidney Crosby on Thursday, but it may not be a factor against the lowly Tampa Bay Lightning.
While the Penguins are just two points back of New Jersey (40-24-7) for first in the Eastern Conference, the Lightning are last in the conference with 66 points.
Crosby, who will likely miss his fourth consecutive game due to lingering soreness caused by a high right ankle sprain, is expected back for Saturday's critical contest against New Jersey.
The 20-year-old, who suffered the original injury in January and missed the next 21 games, has be sidelined for 25 of Pittsburgh's last 28 contests.
The Penguins could have used Crosby's scoring ability on Tuesday as they saw a three-game winning streak come to an end against the New York Rangers, 5-2.
Goaltender Ty Conklin allowed five goals for the second time in four games this month, a fact that may prompt Penguins coach Michel Therrien to insert Marc-Andre Fleury back in goal.
Despite their poor record, the Lightning have had great success against the Penguins in recent years. Tampa Bay holds a commanding 10-2-3 record against Pittsburgh in the last 15 games in the series.
The Lightning saw a three-game winning streak come to a disastrous end Wednesday.
Tampa Bay held a 4-1 lead over Buffalo with 14:51 to play in regulation, but allow six unanswered goals and fell by a 7-4 count.
One of the few bright spots for Tampa this season, Vincent Lecavalier recorded his 38th and 39th goals in the loss.
- NHL
FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 0 1 1 2
PITTSBURGH 1 1 2 4 FINAL
GOAL SCORING:
1ST PRD: PIT - JARKKO RUUTU 4 (BROOKS ORPIK, MAXIME TALBOT) 14:20
2ND PRD: TAM - (PP) VINCENT LECAVALIER 40 (JUSSI JOKINEN, FILIP KUBA)
4:18
PIT - EVGENI MALKIN 42 (RYAN WHITNEY) 10:05
3RD PRD: PIT - JORDAN STAAL 12 (PASCAL DU
Mar 20 9:51 PM - NHL
TAMPA BAY 2
PITTSBURGH 4
3RD PRD: TAM - (PP) FILIP KUBA 4 (JUSSI JOKINEN, VINCENT LECAVALIER)
1:51
Lightning 2, Penguins 4 3rd - 18:09Mar 20 9:24 PM - NHL
TAMPA BAY 1
PITTSBURGH 4
3RD PRD: PIT - PETR SYKORA 26 (EVGENI MALKIN, DARRYL SYDOR) 0:51
Lightning 1, Penguins 4 3rd - 19:09Mar 20 9:24 PM - NHL
TAMPA BAY 1
PITTSBURGH 3
3RD PRD: PIT - JORDAN STAAL 12 (PASCAL DUPUIS) 0:35
Lightning 1, Penguins 3 3rd - 19:25Mar 20 9:23 PM - NHL
END OF THE 2ND 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 0 1 1
PITTSBURGH 1 1 2 END OF THE 2ND
GOAL SCORING:
1ST PRD: PIT - JARKKO RUUTU 4 (BROOKS ORPIK, MAXIME TALBOT) 14:20
2ND PRD: TAM - (PP) VINCENT LECAVALIER 40 (JUSSI JOKINEN, FILIP KUBA)
4:18
PIT - EVGENI MALKIN 42 (RYAN WHITNEY) 10:05
SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2
Mar 20 9:01 PM - NHL
TAMPA BAY 1
PITTSBURGH 2
2ND PRD: PIT - EVGENI MALKIN 42 (RYAN WHITNEY) 10:05
Lightning 1, Penguins 2 2nd - 9:55Mar 20 8:43 PM - NHL
TAMPA BAY 1
PITTSBURGH 1
2ND PRD: TAM - (PP) VINCENT LECAVALIER 40 (MARTIN ST. LOUIS, FILIP
KUBA) 4:18
Lightning 1, Penguins 1 2nd - 15:42Mar 20 8:36 PM - NHL
END OF THE 1ST 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
TAMPA BAY 0 0
PITTSBURGH 1 1 END OF THE 1ST
GOAL SCORING:
1ST PRD: PIT - JARKKO RUUTU 4 (BROOKS ORPIK, MAXIME TALBOT) 14:20
SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
TAM 8 8
PIT 8 8
GOALIES: TAM - MIKE SMITH
PIT -
Mar 20 8:12 PM - NHL
TAMPA BAY 0
PITTSBURGH 1
1ST PRD: PIT - JARKKO RUUTU 4 (BROOKS ORPIK, MAXIME TALBOT) 14:20
Lightning 0, Penguins 1 1st - 5:40Mar 20 8:04 PM
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