Pittsburgh Review

The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in a home game at PPG Paints Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 5 PM. Fans can watch the match on SportsNet Pittsburgh and ESPN+, or listen via 105.9 the X and the Penguins app.

Currently, the Penguins hold a record of 18-18-8, while the Lightning stand at 22-15-3. Historically, Pittsburgh has fared well against Tampa Bay, securing points in seven of their last eight encounters (6-1-1). At home, they have achieved points in 18 out of their last 21 games against the Lightning since November 2010.

Key players for the Penguins include Rickard Rakell, who recently scored his team-leading 21st goal. Since being omitted from Team Sweden's Four Nations roster on December 4th, Rakell leads Swedish players with 11 goals and 20 points. Additionally, Erik Karlsson enters tonight's game with a strong record of recent performance.

Sidney Crosby is approaching significant milestones: he is one goal away from tying Bobby Hull for sixth-most goals with one franchise in NHL history and needs one assist to match Marcel Dionne's record for assists. Crosby is also on a nine-game point streak against Tampa Bay.

In back-to-back games this season, Pittsburgh holds a record of 7-10-0 overall but has shown resilience by winning six out of eight second-night games.

As the Penguins wrap up their ninth set of back-to-back games today, they aim to maintain their momentum against a formidable opponent in Tampa Bay.