The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 12, 2024, as they look to end a two-game losing streak marked by offensive struggles. After achieving a season-best six-game winning streak, the Penguins have faltered, failing to score in their last two matches. Facing the Lightning, who are riding a ten-game winning streak, Pittsburgh’s players are under pressure to regain their scoring touch.
Since the holiday break, the Penguins’ defense and goaltending have been solid, allowing them to remain competitive. Before their recent success, the team experienced a season-worst eight-game winless streak from December 7 to December 20, where they recorded only four overtime losses. During that challenging period, Pittsburgh acquired goaltender Stuart Skinner from the Edmonton Oilers in a December 12 trade that sent goalie Tristan Jarry to Edmonton.
Skinner faced initial challenges, suffering three consecutive losses upon joining Pittsburgh. However, he has rebounded impressively, posting a record of 3-1-0 with a 1.01 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage in his last four games. Despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Boston Bruins on Sunday, where he stopped 18 of 19 shots, his recent performance has been commendable.
“It’s tough sometimes when you’re coming in with a new group, especially in that position,” said Penguins coach Dan Muse. He praised Skinner’s resilience, noting his previous experience in two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals. “He’s done a lot of really good things in the league,” Muse added.
With a record of 3-4-0, Skinner currently holds a 2.34 GAA and a .899 save percentage. His backup, Arturs Silovs, has also shown promise, winning four of his last five starts with a 2.96 GAA.
The Lightning, on the other hand, are in fine form, having secured their tenth consecutive victory on Monday. They followed a dominant 7-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers with a decisive 5-1 triumph. However, this latest success may have come at a cost, as top-line center Brayden Point sustained an injury during the game.
Point, who previously missed seven games due to an undisclosed injury, took a hard hit while scoring a power-play goal. He fell to the ice in visible pain after the contact buckled his right knee. Coach Jon Cooper did not provide an update on Points’ condition following the match, leaving teammates concerned. “Pointer’s a big part of this team,” said forward Brandon Hagel, emphasizing the impact Point has on the squad.
Despite his injury scare, Hagel managed to score for the fourth consecutive game, complementing his tally with an assist. Meanwhile, Nikita Kucherov extended his point streak to ten games, contributing an empty-net goal and an assist during the victory. Cooper also celebrated a personal milestone, becoming the 25th coach in NHL history to reach 600 career wins.
The Lightning’s ten-game winning streak ties them with the Colorado Avalanche and the Buffalo Sabres for the longest in the league this season. A victory against the Penguins would match the franchise record of eleven wins set during the 2019-20 season.
As the Penguins prepare for this critical matchup, they will need to find their offensive rhythm to challenge the Lightning’s formidable momentum. The stakes are high as both teams aim for crucial points in this competitive NHL season.
