Lightning Drop Seventh Straight Game In 6-3 Loss To Penguins

Evgeni Malkin had three goals and two assists Sunday afternoon as the Penguins handed the Lightning their seventh consecutive loss, leaving Tampa Bay without any wins in the month of January.

Matt Gilroy, Ryan Malone, and Teddy Purcell all scored in the third period for the Lightning, who were behind by three goals. All of Tampa Bays goals came within 4:50 of each other.

After tying up the game and having most of the momentum, the Lightning lost control of the game, allowing the Penguins to score three unanswered goals.

Tampa Bay was outshot 17-5 in the first period and had yet another dismal start to the game, ultimately doing them in. The Lightning have been outscored 54-30 by the opponent in the first period and have been playing from behind in the bulk of this season's games.

James Neal scored first for the Penguins, when he put a goal past Mathieu Garon on a bad angle shot at 2:34. The Penguins went ahead by two at 10:38 when Richard Park's wrist shot beat Garon's left shoulder.

Tampa Bay was sloppy on the puck and spent too much time in its own zone in the first period, something that is happening more and more every game. When did this team forget how to pass and forget how to set up in the offensive zone?

After a scoreless second period, Neal scored his second goal of the game 34 seconds into the third period to make it a 3-0 game.

The Lightning's three goal rally began with Matt Gilroy's first goal of the season when he put one past Marc-Andre Fleury at 2:00 of the third period. A few minutes later, Vincent Lecavalier fed Ryan Malone to make it a 3-2 game on the power play. Bruno Gervaisthen fired a shot at the net, leading to Teddy Purcell scoring on the rebound at 6:50 of the third period.

Although the Lightning put together an impressive comeback, it eventually ended when Malkin scored three straight goals. Malkin's first two goals came within a 1:49 span in the third period, capped off by an empty netter with 53 seconds left in the game.

Lightning Continue To Trail Penguins 2-0 After Second Period

Not many positive things to say about the Lightning in the second period, but it did not allow another goal, making it possible to make a third period come back. Tampa Bay did have a more physical period though, outhitting Pittsburgh 15-7 in the second period.

Tampa Bay continued to have some trouble getting out of their own zone, thanks to a staunch Penguins defense. The Lightning also allowed the Penguins to amass 15 shots on Mathieu Garon in the second period.

Let’s face reality here. This game could be a lot uglier for Tampa Bay. If the Lightning can score a goal they are easily back in this game. We all know that a two goal games means nothing. However, the lack of offensive chances in this game doesn’t show tides turning too much for the Lightning.

Lightning Trail By Two After First Period

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 10 points out of a playoff spot and need to get something going soon. The Lightning hasn't done that yet in this game, as they find themselves trailing 2-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins after the first period.

Not only are the Lightning trailing in the first period for yet another time this season, the team is also being out shot 17-5, evidence that the team has had quite a difficult time getting the puck out the their own zone.

The first Penguins goal was a bad angle shot by James Neal, who found a hole to put the puck past Matheiu Garon at 2:43.

Then, at 10:38, the Lightning fell behind 2-0 after Richard Park's wrist shot from the slot went over the left shoulder of Garon.

Tampa Bay's puck handling was down right sloppy in the first period and needs to be addressed if Tampa Bay is going to avoid this game getting even more out of hand.

Penguins Vs. Lightning: Tampa Bay Hosts Pittsburgh Looking For First January Win

The Tampa Bay Lightning (17-22-4, 38 pts) host the Pittsburgh Penguins (22-17-4, 48 pts) Sunday afternoon, looking for their first win in the month of January.