Riding high after back-to-back victories over the New York Islanders and Detroit Red Wings, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking to keep the momentum going and get one step closer to locking down a playoff spot when they head to the Sunshine State this evening to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning. With their playoff odds currently sitting at 95% according to MoneyPuck.com, the Penguins can push that number even higher by defeating the Lightning, who are in a battle of their own against the Buffalo Sabres for Atlantic division supremacy.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM and will be broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh.
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Pens Points…
On top of the Penguins defeating the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night, every game involving a team around them in the playoff race broke their way, giving the Penguins an added boost in their chase for a playoff spot with their odds of securing a berth now sitting around 90 percent. [Pensburgh]
Down in the AHL, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have already locked up a playoff spot and are now trying to lock down a first round bye with a top two finish in their division. Two wins last weekend have the Baby Pens right on the cusp of locking down that bye, possibly by this weekend. [Pensburgh]
Stuart Skinner will have a big career decision to make this summer, but he’s waiting until then to worry about it. Skinner is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so where he is playing next year remains up in the air, but for now, the focus is on winning with the Penguins. [Trib Live]
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What a month March was for Erik Karlsson and he was properly honored for his efforts by being named the Second Star of the Month by the NHL on Wednesday. In March, Karlsson tallied 24 points in 17 games to keep the Penguins afloat with the absences of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. [Penguins]
NHL News and Notes…
There’s no hard timetable being set, but the Colorado Avalanche know they will be without Norris winning defenseman Cale Makar for at least some undetermined time after Makar suffered an injury on Tuesday night against the Calgary Flames. [NHL]
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