Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Tampa Bay Lightning 4/2/2026

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 4: Jonas Johansson #31 of the Tampa Bay Lightning makes a save against Bryan Rust #17 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the Benchmark International Arena on December 4, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images Who: Pittsburgh Penguins (38-21-16, 92 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (46-22-6, 98 points, 2nd place Atlantic Division) When : 7:00 p. m.

eastern How to Watch : Locally broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and The Spot, streaming on ESPN+ Pens’ Path Ahead : The March of the Penguins concludes literally (though perhaps not figuratively) tonight with the team wrapping up their franchise record of 17 games in a calendar month. The Pens are 7-6-3 and managed to hold on against a brutal schedule while weathering some key absences. There’s another flurry of weekend games, the Florida Panthers play in PPG Paints both Saturday (5:00pm start) and Sunday (3:00pm start) and then Pittsburgh gets their first stretch of three days without games next Mon-Wed since early January (not counting the Olympic break).

The Pens then pick back up a week from tonight on the road in New Jersey. Opponent Track : Tampa was 6-0-2 in last eight prior to Tuesday home game against Montreal, where the Lightning lost 4-1. Tampa has a big game coming up on Saturday against the hard-charging Bruins.

Season Series : The Penguins always seem to play Tampa well, despite the difference in team strengths in the last few years. Pittsburgh is 8-4-2 overall since the 2021-22 season against the Lightning, including a 1-0-1 record this season. The Pens blew a 3-0 lead but still pulled off a regulation 4-3 win over Tampa courtesy Evgeni Malkin’s late GWG and three-point night back on December 4th.