Tampa Bay wants to force a Game 7 against Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday – NHL Play-offs Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning learned on Sunday night that if the Chicago Blackhawks can force the Vancouver Canucks into a game seven face-off for the series, than they can manhandle the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday to get a chance at the quarter-finals.
Both teams will meet up in Tampa Bay, Florida at the St. Pete Times Forum for what might be the last time.
The Lightning won the previous matchup between them on Saturday in which Tampa Bay thrashed the Penguins 8-2 in Pittsburgh. Analysing that game, the Lightning look more than ready to do the same in the remaining two play-off contests.
It was the offensive side that changed their game-play during game five for the better. The National Hockey League’s leading scorer, Steven Stamkos, finally stepped up and performed. He along with Pavel Kubina scored their first two goals of the post-season
and created a team chemistry that was all-out perfect in every sense. Players were opening up opportunities and were not selfish in their attempts. Wherever they noticed that a fellow team-mate was open for the shot, they fed him the puck. Teddy Purcell picked
up three assists showing how much of a playmaker he really is and if they continue this strategy, it can take them deep into the Stanley Cup Finals.
"That one felt good to get the monkey off my back," Stamkos said. "I wanted to be a guy the team could count on, especially in a big game like this."
Tampa Bay also got their defensemen Marc-Andre Bergeron back on Saturday, after he missed four of their previous games due to an upper-body injury. His play-off debut had a sudden spark on the Lightning, making them even more vicious then before, as he deflected
a number of shots and picked up an assist.
One thing that has created problems for the Penguins is their lack of killing all power-plays awarded to the other team and at the same time remaining consistent in getting penalised for foolish mishaps. Pittsburgh had a total of 16 minutes on the bench
during Game five in which Tampa Bay was able to score four times throughout. Both of Kubina’s goals were on consecutive power-plays which could have been avoided.
"There are certain things about their power play that's dangerous and we have not done a good job in enough areas to keep them away from the dangerous aspects of what they do," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. "Give them credit. They've been good on their
entries and the way they recover pucks and set up their power-play.”
Since the Penguins still do not have a consistent offence because of the missing Captain Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, other players should be taking the lead and fill the gap until they return. It might be too late if players cannot find their form because
Game six could be thought of as the decider instead of Game seven. If the Penguins face a tough time on Monday and are not able to win by a considerable margin instead of winning in over-time, then we can expect Tampa Bay to advance into the semi-finals.
Martin St. Louis has been a consistent player for the Lightning throughout the series, now with a record of eight points in five games along with a newly re-charged Steven Stamkos, they will prove to be a deadly force. Tampa Bay is easily capable of defeating
them in game six and all eyes will be on them come Saturday.
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