2011 NHL Hockey Free Playoff Predictions: Penguins vs Lightning
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NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011 Game Three
Monday April 18, 2011 – 7:30 PM ET
Venue: St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa Bay, Florida
Broadcast: CBC
Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning
Betting Lines From TheGreek.com:
Money Line: Tampa Bay -135
Over/Under: 5
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It’s amazing how quickly the entire outlook can change in an NHL playoff series. Two nights after being shut out by the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 in game one of their opening round series, the Tampa Bay Lightning bounced back with a 5-1 win to earn that crucial road split and steal home ice advantage. It was the first postseason victory for the franchise in four years, and it has swung the momentum in the series in favor of the Lightning.
Whether it was nerves or a four-year postseason absence that kept Tampa Bay from matching the intensity of a determined Penguins’ team in game one, it didn’t take long for head coach Guy Boucher to motivate his troops. Unlike in the opener when he stood on his head and made 32 saves including several acrobatic stops to keep Pittsburgh in it, Marc-Andre Fleury couldn’t save his team. The Lightning struck three times on eight shots in the first 20 minutes, including the first of two powerplay goals Tampa Bay registered on the night. Martin St. Louis took over as the special teams’ sparkplug, assisting on Vinny Lecavalier’s first period goal, and then scoring his own in the dying seconds of the middle frame. Simon Gagne finished the game with three assists, while defenseman Eric Brewer stepped up with a goal and two assists.
While the Lightning’s offense came alive, Pittsburgh struggled to find the back of the net despite firing 36 shots at Dwayne Roloson. The absence of superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin from the Penguins’ lineup was as apparent as ever. Malkin will not return to the team this postseason, and while Crosby has looked good in practice head coach Dan Bylsma hasn’t confirmed when he will be available again. Mark Letestu led the team in shots on goal with seven in game two, and will need more support from Pittsburgh’s more offensively-gifted players to have a chance on the road.
The fact that they lose the last change will make matters even harder for the Penguins, especially now that Bylsma won’t be able to match his top checking line against the St. Louis trio. Roloson looked more and more confident as his forwards came alive, and if Tampa Bay can carry that momentum into game three they can take control of the series. Pittsburgh does not have the firepower to keep up with the Lightning, and will be in tough to keep this one close unless Fleury can provide another outstanding effort.
Pick: Lightning
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