The hubbub surrounding the Winter Classic is gone now, and the Pens go back to work Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Coincidentally, Tampa Bay is coming off a game against ... the Washington Capitals, also the Pens' last opponent. The Lightning beat the Caps Tuesday night 1-0 in overtime.
For the first two Pens/Lightning games this year, the big storyline was the matchup of Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos, who were fighting for the NHL points lead. That story has cooled a bit since then, as Crosby has opened a big lead in overall points, but he is still just one goal ahead of Stamkos for the NHL lead in goals. Stamkos and Martin St. Louis have been the strongest scoring duo in the league this year and are currently second and third in the NHL (behind Crosby) in scoring.
The Lightning's biggest weakness - and despite their 24-11-5 record, they definitely have one - has been allowing too many goals. They have actually allowed as many goals as they've scored this year. Tampa Bay tried to address that weakness a few days ago by acquiring veteran goalie Dwayne Roloson from the Islanders. Roloson made an immediate impression by shutting down the Capitals Tuesday night.