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Lightning seeks to snap 10-game Penguin hex

 
Lightning center Brian Boyle goes flying after a hit from Penguins defenseman Simon Despres in the teams’ meeting Dec. 15, which Pittsburgh won 4-2.
Lightning center Brian Boyle goes flying after a hit from Penguins defenseman Simon Despres in the teams’ meeting Dec. 15, which Pittsburgh won 4-2.
Published Dec. 23, 2014

BRANDON — The Lightning doesn't seem interested in a history lesson as it prepares to host the Penguins tonight.

Tampa Bay has lost its past 10 games to Pittsburgh, dating to November 2011. Pittsburgh has scored at least four regulation goals in eight of those games, including the Lightning's 4-2 road loss last week.

"That's the only game that I really care about," forward Brian Boyle said.

That and the one tonight, when Sidney Crosby and the Penguins make their only trip of the season to Amalie Arena.

Pittsburgh is atop the Eastern Conference and ESPN's power rankings, though their three-game winning streak — which began with last week's victory over Tampa Bay — ended in a 4-3 shootout loss to Florida.

In the Dec. 15 game against the Lightning, the Penguins didn't get off a shot in the first 11 minutes but capitalized as goalie Ben Bishop left the game with a lower-body injury.

"We played a very good game in Pittsburgh — probably deserved a different fate," Bishop said. "Sometimes that's the way it works."

Bishop might not be ready to return tonight. He practiced Monday with the team at the Ice Sports Forum and said he felt good enough that he'd try to convince coaches and trainers that he can start tonight.

But with Andrei Vasilevskiy playing well, coach Jon Cooper said the Lightning will likely rest Bishop tonight heading into the three-day Christmas break.

"There's something to be said, too, for playing the kid who's hot," Cooper said.

The Penguins will also have a different look. Crosby missed the last game after contracting mumps but is back on the ice and scored Saturday against the Panthers.

Crosby is in the top 10 in the league in points (37 including an assist Monday) but still only second on his team, behind Evgeni Malkin (39).

"You look at offense all the way to goaltending, it's a good team," Lightning forward Tyler Johnson said. "They're one of the measuring sticks in the NHL. They're a top team for a reason."

Boyle said the Penguins have perhaps two of the top four players in the world, but he's more concerned with his own team. The Lightning has lost six of its past eight while struggling at times on special teams.

"I don't really see it as a benchmark," Boyle said. "I think we just need two points big time right now."

Ice chips: Defenseman Jason Garrison remains day to day with what Cooper called a lower-body injury. Garrison said he's improving and wouldn't rule out skating this morning, but Cooper said it was "highly doubtful" Garrison plays tonight. … With Garrison injured and defenseman Anton Stralman off Monday for body maintenance, Boyle switched from forward to defenseman. … Rookie Jonathan Drouin worked on a line with Steven Stamkos and Brett Connolly.

Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.