'Wednesday Night Hockey': 5 Storylines

The Pittsburgh Penguins face a tough assignment as they try to end a slump that has seen them lose back-to-back games and four of their past five: They host the NHL's best team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, at PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday Night Hockey (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN, TVAS).

The Lightning (37-10-2, 76 points) haven't played since defeating the San Jose Sharks 6-3 on Jan. 19. Pittsburgh (26-17-6, 58 points) is coming off a 6-3 home loss to the New Jersey Devils on Monday.
Here are 5 storylines to watch:

Lightning running away from the pack

Tampa Bay brings the NHL's best record into its game against the Penguins. It's the most points the Lightning have had after 49 games since entering the NHL in 1992. Tampa Bay has led the NHL standings since Dec. 2 and is five points ahead of the Western Conference-leading Calgary Flames, 13 in front of the New York Islanders for first place in the Eastern Conference and 14 ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning have the inside track on the Presidents' Trophy, which would give them the home-ice advantage for as far as they go during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Kucherov & Co. filling the net

The Lightning have been good defensively; they're tied for 10th in average goals allowed (2.86 in 49 games). But it's the offense that has carried them to the top of the NHL. Tampa Bay is first with an average of 4.00 goals per game. Forward Nikita Kucherov leads the League in points (78) and assists (56). Center Brayden Point is tied for second in the NHL in goals (30) and is seventh in scoring (65 points), and forward Steven Stamkos is tied for 15th in scoring with 57 points (26 goals, 31 assists). In all, the Lightning have seven players who've reached double figures in goals, and six with at least 30 points.

Crosby's still elite

Sidney Crosby is tied with Stamkos for 15th in the NHL in scoring (57 points; 21 goals, 36 assists). But any doubts that Pittsburgh's captain is still among the NHL's elite were dispelled at the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game, when he was named MVP after powering the Metropolitan Division to victory. At age 31, Crosby's game has changed somewhat; his defensive play has quietly improved, he's winning 56.4 percent of his faceoffs and has 43 of his 57 points at even strength. It's fair to debate who's the best player in the NHL, but there's no doubt that, at the very least, Crosby is still in the conversation.

Power's on

One reason for the Lightning's success has been the power play. Tampa Bay leads the NHL in power-play percentage (29.5) and in 49 man-advantage goals. The Lightning have been especially good on the road (24-for-75. 32.0 percent). Pittsburgh is sixth overall in penalty-killing (83.3 percent), but just 21st at home (78.8 percent). Pittsburgh is also sixth overall on the power play (24.8 percent), but the Penguins are 20th at home (16.9 percent, as opposed to 32.9 percent on the road). The Penguins can get a little sloppy on the power play; they lead the NHL in shorthanded goals allowed (11); No. 11 came Monday in the loss to New Jersey that saw the power play go 0-for-5.

More needed from Malkin

Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin is averaging more than a point a game (53 points in 49 games) this season, but his overall play has deteriorated in the past three months. He's tied for third from the bottom in the NHL plus-minus rating at minus-20, is minus-24 since Nov. 1 and has been minus-3 in three of Pittsburgh's past five games. His giveaway led to the third goal in the loss to New Jersey, and his lone point, an assist, came on a meaningless goal late in the third period. The Penguins can hope that facing the Lightning will give Malkin a spark; he has 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) and is plus-10 in 37 games against Tampa Bay.