Tampa Bay @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 15, 2018 ) Tampa Bay 4, Pittsburgh 3

The NHL-best Tampa Bay Lightning return to action for the first time in 11 days as they begin a three-game trip with a matchup against the suddenly struggling Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night. The Lightning last played Jan. 19 when they earned a 6-3 victory against San Jose at home before a bye week and the All-Star break gave them a breather after enjoying their best start in franchise history.

“You can tell they’ve got energy,” Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper told reporters after Monday’s practice. “I always think (the bye week) is good. The hockey’s better down the stretch. There may be a little sloppiness in the first game back, but I think every team in the end will be better off that their guys got that break going down the final third of the season.” Nikita Kucherov (league-leading 78 points) hopes to pick up where he left off for the Lightning and take advantage of a Pittsburgh defense that has sprung leaks of late. The Penguins, who went 10-1-0 from Dec. 19 through Jan. 11, have allowed 25 goals while losing four of five since after suffering a 6-3 setback against New Jersey at home Monday. “I think the urgency and desperation and work ethic (weren’t there),” Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby told reporters after the loss. “There should be a lot of energy from our group; didn’t seem like there was. … We can say everything we want to say and say all the right things, but you have to go out there and do it. I think we all understand.”

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, Sportsnet, TVA

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (37-10-2): Kucherov had three assists in the last two contests before the break while linemate Brayden Point registered three of his team-leading 30 goals in the 4-3 victory at Pittsburgh on Nov. 15 and is slated to play his 200th NHL game Wednesday. Captain Steven Stamkos, who joined Kucherov and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy at All-Star weekend, has been red hot since late November with 36 points (19 goals) in the last 24 games after posting 21 in his first 25 outings this season. Forward Tyler Johnson (18 goals, 34 points) is expected to return after missing the last game with a lower-body injury.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (26-17-6): Pittsburgh came up empty with five power-play opportunities Monday and coach Mike Sullivan told reporters there would be changes to the unit that is 4-of-27 the last eight games despite a star-studded group. Crosby, who was held off the scoresheet Monday after being named the MVP of the All-Star Game with four goals and four assists in two contests, leads the team with 57 points. Evgeni Malkin recorded 11 of his team-high 39 assists (599 career) in the last 10 games while fellow forward Jake Guentzel leads the team in goals (24) and has eight in 10 contests during January to go along with five assists.

OVERTIME

1. Penguins RW Phil Kessel scored twice in the last three games and had a goal to go along with an assist in the previous meeting with the Lightning.

2. Tampa Bay D Victor Hedman recorded 14 points in the last 13 games and owns a plus-13 rating over the past 15 contests.

3. Pittsburgh D Jack Johnson (11 points, 49 games) left Monday’s game with an undisclosed injury, but participated at practice Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Penguins 4, Lightning 3