The Tampa Bay Lightning will look to take advantage of a depleted Penguins lineup and move past Pittsburgh for top spot in the Eastern Conference tonight. Pittsburgh will be without captain Sidney Crosby (mumps) for a third consecutive game.
Tampa Bay (19-9-3) sits atop the Atlantic Division with 41 points while Pittsburgh (19-6-4) leads the Metropolitan Division with 42 points.
Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who has 17 goals and 34 points through 31 games, trails Crosby, who sits fourth in the league in points, buy just one point.
Tonight marks the first of three games this season between the two clubs. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN. You can also watch the game via NBC Sports’ Live Extra stream.
Some related reading prior to puck drop:
Pens quarantine Bennett due to mumps symptoms
Report: Pens’ Maatta to get second opinion on shoulder
Vinik: Lightning are in a ‘considerably stronger’ financial position
NHL on NBCSN: East’s elite meet as Penguins host Lightning