Pittsburgh Penguins
For the first time in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins face elimination, as they trail Tampa Bay, 3-2, in the Eastern Conference Finals. And, in Game 6, head coach Mike Sullivan has, somewhat surprisingly, given the nod to rookie goaltender Matt Murray over veteran Marc-Andre Fleury (who played the last period in Game 4 and started Game 5).
Another change from Sunday’s game will likely be the addition of Conor Sheary back in the lineup on the first line with Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist. Sheary was replaced with Beau Bennett in Game 5.
Following a sloppy overtime loss, the Penguins are entering Game 6 with a lot of confidence — Evgeni Malkin has all but guaranteed a Pittsburgh win (he’s also guaranteed he’ll score in Game 6). Still, the question remains whether the Penguins have enough heart and enough left in the tank to force the series to head back to Pittsburgh for Game 7.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning have the opportunity to advance to their second-straight Stanley Cup Final. Though Pittsburgh will be playing on all cylinders, Tampa Bay will play equally as fast.
While starting goaltender Ben Bishop (leg) was injured in Game 1 of the series and hasn’t played since, backup Andrei Vasilevskiy has been a revelation and has given the Penguins trouble. The 21-year-old netminder has made over 30 saves in the last four games, and he’s faced 187 shots since coming in for Bishop in Game 1.
On defense, Tampa Bay has been able to contain both Crosby and Malkin, which has made the Penguins look flat. While Crosby has played better recently (although not to the level Penguins fans are used to seeing), Malkin hasn’t produced. In this series, he has only one goal and one assist. If the Lightning can continue to take away the Penguins’ best offensive options, this series could be over.
Prediction
This will be another fast-paced game with both teams playing with a high sense of urgency. The game will be another nail-biter going into the final moments, but the Penguins will emerge victorious and force a Game 7.
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay, FL
When: Tuesday, May 24 @8:00 p.m. EST
Watch: TVA, NBCS, CBC
Image credit: Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times
