The Pittsburgh Penguins got a tough lesson in Tampa Bay on Thursday night.
After back-to-back dominant wins over the Islanders and Red Wings, the Penguins ran into a fired-up Lightning squad and dropped a 6 to 3 decision. Pittsburgh actually led 2 to 1 after the first period — then Tampa flipped the switch, scoring three unanswered goals in the second period to take control and never looked back. Brayden Point led the way for Tampa, and it was just one of those nights where the Penguins couldn’t solve the Lightning defensively.
Rickard Rakell scored for Pittsburgh, and they did pick up a power play goal late, but it was too little too late.
Here’s the good news — the Penguins are sitting second in the Metropolitan Division and comfortably inside a playoff spot with just a handful of games remaining. This is a team that was not supposed to be here this season, and they are here. One loss doesn’t change that.
Pittsburgh gets right back to work this weekend — the Florida Panthers come to PPG Paints Arena for back-to-back games, Saturday at 4 o’clock and Sunday at 2. Two huge divisional points up for grabs both nights.
Rest up, Pens. Big weekend ahead.
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