The puck is set to drop on the Eastern Conference Final as the Lightning and Penguins get ready to face-off for Game 1 at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh on Friday.
Pittsburgh is in the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2013 and will look to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since winning it all in 2009.
Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is in its second straight Eastern Conference Final, is hoping for its second consecutive journey to the final round and looks to eventually hoist the Cup for the first time since 2004.
The Penguins overcame the Rangers in five games in the opening round and followed it up by ousting the Presidents' Trophy-winning Capitals in six games to get here. The Lightning took out the Red Wings in five games and then knocked off the Islanders is another five-game set to advance to Round 3.
This is a very compelling series as both teams will look to utilize their speed and skill to keep their springs alive. Steven Stamkos (blood clot) hasn't played this postseason, but he could return for the series, while Anton Stralman (leg) may also eventually return for the Lightning.
"I'm hoping," Stamkos said of possibly playing during the series per NHL.com. "That's the frustrating part, it's just not knowing. But I am hopeful that it can be this series."
Nikita Kucherov has nine of Tampa Bay's 30 goals through the first two rounds, tying him for tops in the NHL. Tyler Johnson has led the Lightning nine assists and 13 points this postseason, while Jonathan Drouin paces the team with eight helpers and is one of three players with nine points.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin combined for just one goal and three assists in Round 2, but the Penguins have plenty of depth, thanks mostly to their Carl Hagelin-Phil Kessel-Nick Bonino line, which combined for seven goals and 18 points against the Capitals.
In net, the Penguins turn to rookie goalie Matt Murray, who is 7-2 with a 2.05 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in the playoffs. Murray has shown tremendous poise through the first two rounds.
"I've watched him, both in [AHL] and here in Pittsburgh," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said via NHL.com. "If he thinks he should have had a save or one gets by him, it doesn't impact the next play or the next save."
The Lightning counters with Ben Bishop, who is 8-2 with a 1.89 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.
Game Details & Live Stream
Matchup: Lightning at Penguins Eastern Conference Final Game 1
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Radio: Tampa Bay (WDAE 620); Pittsburgh (105.9 WXDX)
Predictions: Our predictions for this series can be viewed here.
Betting Odds: The latest betting odds for this game can be found here.
Watch Online: This game can be live streamed for free here.
