Pittsburgh (11-32-3) at Tampa Bay (24-16-3)
Currently: - Game info: 7:00 pm EST Thu Jan 29, 2004
- TV: ROOT, SUN
The Tampa Bay Lightning have struggled on the power play this season— except when they’ve faced the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Tampa Bay will look to sweep the season series from Pittsburgh for the first time when the teams conclude a home-and-home set.
The Lightning have outscored the Penguins 18-3 in winning the first three meetings, including a 9-0 rout on Nov. 8.
Tampa Bay is 22nd in the league on the power play (14.2 percent), but has converted on 27.7 percent of its power-play opportunities against Pittsburgh.
The Lightning scored three power-play goals on Tuesday and went on to beat the Penguins 6-2 in Pittsburgh for their ninth win in 13 games.
Pavel Kubina scored two power-play goals less than a minute apart and Cory Stillman added two goals during a four-goal third period.
Tampa Bay concluded a four-game trip with seven of a possible eight points to increase its lead in the Southeast Division.
“It was an unbelievable road trip with a lot of travel,” Kubina said. “It was a very tough road trip, but we’ve been playing great the last couple of weeks.”
The Lightning will get an extra boost on their power play Thursday, as defenseman Darryl Sydor is expected to play after being acquired from Columbus on Tuesday for center Alexander Svitov.
Sydor, who will man the point, has 39 power-play goals and 172 power-play assists in his career.
“Darryl Sydor is the top four defenseman we have been searching for for quite some time now,” Tampa Bay general manager Jay Feaster said. “He will bring veteran leadership and significant playoff experience to our hockey club as he has already played more than 900 NHL regular-season games and almost 100 Stanley Cup playoff games at the age of 31.”
Pittsburgh’s loss on Tuesday was its seventh straight and ninth in 10 games.
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made 33 saves while under constant pressure, but still lost for the 11th time in 12 decisions. He has allowed at least four goals in six consecutive games.
“It’s pretty tough,” Fleury said. “Obviously, everybody wants to win.”
STANDINGS (through Jan. 27): Penguins - 30 points, 5th place, 35 PB, Atlantic Division. Lightning - 57 points, 1st place, Southeast Division.
TEAM LEADERS: Penguins - Ryan Malone and Rico Fata, 11 goals; Dick Tarnstrom, 19 assists and 29 points; Kelly Buchberger, 92 PIM. Lightning - Martin St. Louis, 23 goals and 51 points; St. Louis and Brad Richards, 28 assists; Chris Dingman, 110 PIM.
SPECIAL TEAMS (through Jan. 27): Penguins - Power play: 15.0 percent (35 for 234), 19th in NHL. Penalty killing: 78.3 percent (177 for 226), 30th. Lightning - Power play: 14.2 percent (31 for 218), 22nd. Penalty killing: 84.5 percent (142 for 168), 15th.
GOALTENDERS: Penguins - Fleury (4-14-2, 1 SO, 3.64 GAA); Jean-Sebastien Aubin (2-4-0, 2.28). Lightning - Nikolai Khabibulin (12-13-5, 2, 2.40); John Grahame (12-6-1, 1, 1.67).
SEASON SERIES: Lightning, 3-0.
LAST MEETING: Tuesday; Lightning, 6-2. At Pittsburgh, Dan Boyle had a goal and two assists, Fredrik Modin added a goal and an assist, and Richards recorded three assists for the Lightning.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Penguins - 4-17-2-3 on the road; Lightning - 11-7-3-2 at home.
Team Comparison
| Team | G | W | L | OTL | Pts | Standings | GF | GA | Road/Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 82 | 23 | 47 | 4 | 58 | 5th, Atlantic | 190 | 303 | 10-25-2-4 Road |
| Tampa Bay | 82 | 46 | 22 | 6 | 106 | 1st, Southeast | 245 | 192 | 24-10-4-3 Home |
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