Penguins/NHL
Game 6 Pre-Game Notes
— The Penguins look to close out the series against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight and advance to the second round for the fourth straight year. Game time is 7:00 p.m.; TV: ROOT SPORTS, VERSUS Network; Radio: 105.9 the X)
— The Penguins are 13-12 all-time in Game 6, with a 6-7 road record. The Penguins are 4-2 in their past six Game 6s, including a 3-1 mark on the road.
The Lightning are 2-3 all-time in Game 6’s and 0-2 at home. Tampa Bay is 4-4 all-time when facing elimination, including a 2-2 mark at home
— Since the 2008 postseason the Penguins own a 7-8 record when they can close out a series, including a 5-1 mark in their second attempt.
The Penguins have clinched their last five series on the road.
— Clinching a series on the road following a loss has been the norm for the Penguins over the past couple post-seasons. They have done so three times since the 2009 post-season, including the past two years in the first round round (2009 vs Philadelphia, 2010 vs Ottawa).
— The Penguins are 26-20 all-time when they can close a best-of-seven series, with a 16-10 mark on the road.
– According to the Lightning, Tampa Bay established franchise postseason records in their 8-2 Game 5 victory for most goals in a single game (8), most power-play goals in a single game (4) and largest margin of victory (6).
— The team that has scored the first goal has won all five games in the series.
— Pittsburgh has outshot the Lightning in each of the first five games while generating 30-plus shots in all five contests.
— According to the Penguins, dating back to last year’s postseason the Penguins have fired 30 or more shots in 13 of 18 games for an average of 35.3.
5-on-5 Play for the Penguins
The Penguins have been outscored 17-12 in the series, yet, they have a 3-2 series lead. A key for the Penguins has been 5-on-5 play. Pittsburgh has outscored Tampa Bay 11-7 at even strength and have been the superior team at even strength.
Special teams has been a different story for the Penguins.
They rank dead last in penalty kill percentage (63.6%) and have scored just one power play goal in 25 opportunities.
The Lightning are 8-for-22 on the power play and are coming off a 4-for-7 day in Game 5.
The Penguins are 7-for-91 in their last 28 games on the man advantage.
Dating back to the 2010 post-season, Pittsburgh has given up 20 power play goals in 65 chances, a span of 18 games.
Stat Leaders
Goals
Pittsburgh — Asham (3), Kennedy (1), Kovalev (1), Neal (1)
Tampa Bay — St. Louis (4), Lecavalier (2), Stamkos (2), Gagne (2)
Assists
Pittsburgh — Letang (4), Orpik (3), Martin (2), Talbot (2), Lovejoy (2), Staal (2)
Tampa Bay — St. Louis (4), Gagne (4), Purcell (3), Downie (3), Lecavalier (3)
Points
Pittsburgh — Asham (4), Letang (4), Talbot (3), Orpik (3)
Tampa Bay — St. Louis (8), Gagne (6), Lecavalier (5), Brewer (5)
Hits
Pittsburgh –Adams (17), Dupuis (16) Orpik (16), Asham (15), Rupp (15)
Tampa Bay –Kubina, (19) Thompson, (18) Ohlund (11), Brewer (11), Bergenheim, (11)
Blocked Shots:
Pittsburgh – Orpik, (12) Martin, (9) Michalek, (8) Lovejoy, (7)
Tampa Bay –Brewer, (14) Hedman, (13) Ohlund, (12)
Shots
Pittsburgh –Kennedy (23), Michalek (20), Letang, (18)
Tampa Bay –Bergenheim, (16) Lecavalier, (16) Brewer, (12) St. Louis, (11)
Faceoff Percentage (min: 10)
Pittsburgh –Rupp, 60.9% (14-9); Adams, 58.5% (24-17); Letestu, 51.5% (53-33)
Tampa Bay –Lecavalier, 51.9% (55-51); Hall, 51.3% (20-19); Moore, 47.8% (32-35
