Game Buzz: Pens have matched up well with Bolts but do previous meetings mean nothing?

Penguins (45-24-8, 98 pts) @ Lightning (41-24-11, 93 pts)

Time: 7:38 p.m. | Where: St. Pete Times Forum

Season Series: Pittsbuirgh leads the season series, 2-1, and have outscored Tampa Bay, 16-7, in three meetings this year.

In the previous meeting on Jan. 5, Pittsburgh defeated Tampa Bay, 8-1, behind a hat trick from Chris Kunitz. That was the last game Sidney Crosby has played in.

Crosby who will participate in the Penguins game day skates during their current two game road trip, has missed 36 games due to concussion like symptoms. Pittsburgh is 19-12-5 without him.

The Lightning defeated Pittsburgh 5-3, on Oct. 27, in the only meeting in Tampa this season. Craig Adams had a goal and 2 assists in the loss.

What's on the Line?: Tonight is a likely playoff preview of a 4-5 matchup between the Penguins and Lightning.

Home-ice is on the line as Pittsburgh holds a 5 point lead over the Lightning for the No. 4 spot. Pittsburgh can move 7 points in front of Tampa Bay with a win in regulation.

Montreal (89pts) trails Tampa Bay by 4 points for the No. 5 seed. The Canadiens are a team that Pittsburgh wants to stay away from in the first round. The Lightning have two games in hand on the Canadiens and one game in hand on Pittsburgh.

A Tampa Bay win tonight would pretty much secure a Penguins - Lightning first round matchup.

Previous meetings mean nothing?: