Wednesday’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning seems like an important one for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
For one, their loss to the New Jersey Devils on Monday night, combined with the Buffalo Sabres’ win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, leaves them with just a two-point cushion for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Realistically speaking I still think the Penguins are a near lock to make the playoffs because for as close as they are to being on the outside of the playoff picture, they are just as close to being in a top-three spot in the Metropolitan Division and now that far out of home-ice in the first round.