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Penguins look to keep things rolling against Tampa |
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The Penguins started their year dismantling the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning immediately after their banner ceremony on opening night. It was surprise to most people how the Penguins handily defeated them. Fast forward to tonight and the Penguins will not be catching the Lightning by surprise.
Even if the Lightning are well aware of how the Penguins can play against them it isn’t like Tampa Bay has corrected their course. What if I told you they haven’t led a single minute in any game this year. It’s true, even after playing the Buffalo Sabres last night. Their two wins came in overtime. I don’t think too many people would have predicted that to happen. It isn’t like Tampa is playing poorly. They are the ninth ranked xGF% at 53.78 per Natural Stat Trick. They probably deserve better results. The Penguins do deserve the results they are getting. They are the second-best team in the NHL with an xGF% of 56.95. They are playing like one of the best teams in the league.
They will continue to try and be one of the better teams in the league without some of their most talented skaters. Sidney Crosby will not be making his debut tonight. He remains sidelined. Kris Letang who is in COVID protocol is experiencing symptoms
Jeff Carter is not experiencing symptoms and should be good to go by the end of the week if nothing else changes.
Tristan Jarry and his .943 save percentage will be getting the start. At the moment the Tampa Bay starter hasn’t been confirmed, but it is believed it will be Andrei Vasilevskiy as Brian Elliott started against the Sabres last night. Vasilevskiy who would have been a worthy Vezina winner last season is currently an .893 goalie. I don’t expect this to stay the same. At some point logic would say he will start to play better.
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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