Pittsburgh Penguins Vs. Tampa Bay Lightning GameDay, TV/Radio, Mumps Report
By Larry Snyder
The Pittsburgh Penguins (19-6-4, 42 points) begin a three-game homestand tonight when they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Pens are coming off a 4-3 shootout loss on Saturday to the Blue Jackets in Columbus. Mike Johnston’s squad is 8-0-1 against teams from the Atlantic Division this season. Since moving into Consol Energy Center, they are 7-0 against Tampa Bay
With Saturday’s 4-2 loss against the Capitals in Washington, Jon Cooper’s crew (19-9-3, 41 points) is tied with the Detroit Red Wings in points for first place in the Atlantic Division. Tampa is 7-5-2 on the road this season, but have dropped four of their last six games.
It is the first of three meetings this season when these teams faceoff at center ice this evening. The Pens won all three matchups in 2013-2014, and have won the past nine consecutive games.
When: Monday, Dec. 15
Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m.
Site: CONSOL Energy Center
Television: ROOT Sports Network
Announcers: Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey
Radio Coverage: 105.9 FM – The X and the Penguins Radio Network
Announcers: Mike Lange and Phil Bourque
Live Video Steam: NHL GameCenter LIVE
Audio Stream: Penguins Radio 24/7
Sirius XM Satellite Radio: XM Channel 218, XM Internet 942
Odds: Penguins -1.5 According to Bovada Online Sportsbook with the Over/Under at 5.5.
Tampa’s captain, Steven Stamkos has 17 goals and ranks fifth in the NHL with 34 points while forward Tyler Johnson leads the Bolts in assists with 21.
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Right wing Nikita Kucherov has at least one point in 11 of his last 14 contests. The 5-foot-11, 171-pound forward scored both of the Lightning’s goals in their 2-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec. 11.
Goaltender Ben Bishop comes into tonight’s matchup with a 16-6-2 record with a 2.34 goals-against-average and a .914 save percentage.
Lightning Injured: Left wing Ondrej Palat (lower body) and defenseman Radko Gudas (illness). Tampa’s one scratch is center Vladislav Namestnikov.
Evgeni Malkin keeps taking care of business as he has three goals and three assists for a point in four straight games.
The Penguins recalled defenseman Scott Harrington on Sunday from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.
Coach Mike Johnston noted that defenseman Robert Bortuzzo is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, general manager Jim Rutherford said Sidney Crosby is past the infectious stage of the mumps as of Sunday, but is being held out of tonight’s contest with Tampa Bay as a precaution.
Also, that forward Beau Bennett, who has missed the last nine games with a lower-body injury, is said to be showing symptoms for mumps. The test results will come back on Tuesday.
Pens Injured: Crosby (illness), Pascal Dupuis (blood clot), Bennett (lower body), Chris Kunitz (foot fracture), Olli Maatta (upper body), Scott Wilson (leg), Zach Sill (leg), Robert Bortuzzo (undisclosed). Pittsburgh’s lone scratch is Scott Harrington.
Up Next: The Black and Gold remain at Consol Energy Center on Thursday, Dec. 18 when they host the Colorado Avalanche (10-13-7, 27 points). The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.
From The Clipboard: Kris Letang has four goals and four assists for eight points over five straight games…Craig Adams recorded his 18th-career shorthanded point at Columbus. He has seven goals and 11 assists…Blake Comeau has a goal in each of his last two games…Pittsburgh has gotten at least one point in 12 of its last 15 contests.