Penguins Vs. Lightning: Against Struggling Tampa Bay, Pens To Try To Keep Offense Going

By Charlie Wilmoth - Editor

After scoring four times against the Florida Panthers, the Pens visit a Tampa Bay team that has given up three or more goals in seven straight games.

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Jan 15, 2012 - Last season, the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Penguins in the first round of the NHL Playoffs; this year, both teams are just trying to stay afloat. The Pens (22-17-4) looked like a different team while ending a six-game losing streak with a win over the Panthers on Friday. On Sunday afternoon, they'll see if the state of Florida continues to be kind to them as they play at the Tampa Bay Times Forum (1:00 PM, ROOT Sports).

The Penguins' offense had been in a rut before Friday's game, but a matchup against the Lightning, who have allowed 3.4 goals per game this year (30th in the NHL) might help them continue to stay out of it. The Lightning (17-22-4) have themselves lost six straight games, giving up three or more goals in each of them (including three in a hat trick by Troy Brouwer of the Washington Capitals on Friday). Since allowing seven against the Maple Leafs January 3, Tampa Bay has alternated between Mathieu Garon and Dwayne Roloson in net, but neither have gotten the job done. Vincent Lecavalier has had seven points in the six-game losing streak, which hasn't mattered, because the Lightning have allowed so many goals.

A win by the New York Islanders on Saturday put the Lightning in the bottom spot in the Eastern Conference, with 38 points.

For more on the Penguins, check out PensBurgh. For more on the Lightning, there's Raw Charge and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Read More: Dwayne Roloson (G - TAM), Mathieu Garon (G - TAM), Vincent Lecavalier (C - TAM), Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning

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