The Penguins went into today's game against Lightning with a 7-2-1 record in the previous 10 contests this season and a 7-2-1 against the Lightning in the last 10 games between the two. The Penguins had originally planned to play Marc-Andre Fleury in net but he was ruled out due to a sickness so the Penguins turned to Jeff Zatkoff.
The Tampa took control of this game mid-way through the first with goals from Anton Stralman and Steven Stamkos. Stralman's came 9:08 into the game off a shot from the blue line. Stralmand's shot went in off the crossbar shortly after Porter at the other end had seen his shot rebound out. Stamkos scored the Lightning's second just 2 minutes and 12 second later.
Killorn's original shot from the point was fired at Zatkoff who had a good view but managed to fumble it. Stamkos was there in the blue paint, completely unchallenged, to pot it in with minimal fuss. That was Stamkos's 300th goal in the National Hockey League and probably one of his easiest.
Matt Carle who had yet to score even so much as a point this season naturally scored his first goal of the season against the Penguins. He scored 3:14 into the second period off a wrist shot from far out. Zatkoff should have stopped this, it was shot with a fairly tame effort but went straight through Zatkoff's five hole. Zatkoff has grown accustomed to letting in easy goals this season and it is worrying as he needs to be able to provide the Penguins something when Fleury can't go.
The Penguins managed to prevent the Lightning from getting a fourth straight goal with Tom Kuhnhackl getting his first NHL goal on a short-handed attempt. He collected the puck and cleared it past the last Tampa defender. Despite having a two-on-zero with Porter he elected to do the right thing and take a shot himself and backhanded it over Ben Bishop's shoulder.
The Lightning killed any hope the Penguins might have had of making a comeback with Tyler Johnson scoring his ninth goal of the season on a redirection in front of the net. The Lightning made a quick break and the puck was passed down to the wing to Marchessault who spotted Palat making a break. Johnson's speed left the defence flat-footed and he was given the puck on a plate.
The Penguins scored a second late in the second period but the Lightning controlled the game from that point and took home the two points. With Zatkoff in goal it is hard to feel comfortable as he often looks nervous or insecure in net and that isn't what you want from your back-up. I would expect that the Penguins play Fleury tomorrow, they need to as they need the two points.
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