Stanley Cup Playoffs ECQF Game 3: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Tampa Bay Lightning - 7:30PM EST

Game Day after the jump.........

Where:

St. Pete Times Forum

Network:

ROOT (HD), SUN (HD), CBC (HD)

Series:

Tied 1-1

Highlights:

Game 1

Game 2

Pittsburgh Lines:

Kunitz----------Staal----------Kennedy

Neal------------Letestu--------Kovalev

Connor--------Talbot---------Dupuis

Rupp----------Adams---------Asham

Orpik----------Letang

Martin---------Michalek

Niskanen-----Lovejoy

Fleury

Johnson

Tampa Bay Lines:

Purcell----------Lecavalier-----------St. Louis

Gagne----------Stamkos--------------Malone

Bergenheim---Moore----------------Downie

Tyrell----------Thompson-----------Hall

Lundin----------Brewer

Ohlund---------Clark

Hedman--------Kubina

Roloson

Smith

After Game 1 the Pens were winning the Stanley Cup. Now after Game 2 the Pens will soon be packing for their April vacations. Its the playoffs and it is really easy to succumb to the emotion after a big win or loss. Stay the course, never get too high or too low.

Tonight the Pens travel down to Tampa looking to get back to their game and retake control of this series. The Pens came out fast in Game 2 but the flow was interrupted by early whistles, penalties, and Eric Brewer coming down the wing and going roof on Fleury. The entire course of the game was changed. If the Pens are going to have success they are going to have to get the first goal. Tampa is a completely different team when they play with the lead. If Tampa gets an early lead they will sit back in their 1-3-1 and make it difficult for the Pens to score. This compounds problems for the Pens because they are already goal-starved.

The hate has begun. Ryan Malone is a joke and will undoubtedly continue to take unlimited penalties throughout the rest of this series. The Pens need to continue to invest physically against this team. You don't think it already hasn't taken its toll? Check out the report from the Lightning's morning skate.

"11:07 AM: The Lightning have decided to hold an optional morning skate. Three Bolts and backup goaltender Mike Smith are the only ones on the ice for Tampa bay".

Ah, the fruits of playing physical in a seven game series.

The Pens have done a great job at containing Steven Stamkos, who has been invisible so far this series only registering two shots. They must do a better job limiting the space and opportunities for St. Louis and Lecavalier though. These guys will kill us if given the chance. The Pens also got a little undisciplined in Game 2 taking too many penalties. They can't give Tampa too many PP chances. On the other side of the coin, the Pens have to get something out of their PP which is 0 for the series so far. 

Great Moments in Penguins Playoff History: 

Marty Straka magic.

Like I said before the Pens need to come out and impose their will on this Tampa Bay team. The first ten minutes should be wild, and the Pens better be ready to weather the storm early in Tampa. If they can do that they should take control back in this series, and get back in the saddle again.

"Lets Grind These Bitches Down"

LETS GO PENS