Pre-Game Playoff Notes (Pittsburgh VS Tampa Bay - GAME 2, ROUND 1)

LINE COMBINATIONS (projected by this morning's skate)

Neal-Letestu-Kovalev
Kunitz-Staal-Kennedy
Dupuis-Talbot-Conner
Rupp-Adams-Asham
Comrie-Crosby-Godard

MY THOUGHTS / PREDICTIONS:

• TONIGHT, the Pens will have to maintain their physicality - even step it up some as Tampa Bay will be more prepared for them.  But I still think they will be unable to match the Pens intensity (too many physical Pittsburgh players compared to what few the Bolts have)
• Tampa Bay's fire power may not be able to prevail over all of Pittsburgh's toughness and playoff experience especially with all the role players who have a history of "stepping up" in post-season as was the case in Game 1 (Asham and Kovy; but also Adams, Rupper, Talbot)
• STILL believe that there will be goals scored by both Neal (maybe even a hat trick?) and "Z" this round
• Game 2 will be pivotal (if the Pens win, it will be full steam ahead which will create a sense of defeat for the Bolts and will take nothing less than perfect play to cause the Pens to waver ... but if Tampa Bay wins, it just means it will take more games to reach the inevitable - Pens win the series regardless)
• we still won't see much from Stamkos (I think what was left of his confidence what knocked out of him with the hit from Orpik in the first few minutes of Game 1) and Lecavalier; however, St. Louis may just be "out for blood" (see "TAMPA BAY LINE / INJURY INFO below)
• THE PENS WILL WIN IT IN 6

TAMPA BAY LINE / INJURY INFO:

• Martin St. Louis was accidentally struck with a stick in the mouth losing three teeth at the hands of Michalek last Wednesday; he had to undergo a DOUBLE root canal, but that won't stop him from being in tonight's lineup (this is the playoffs, man!)
• Randy Jones (D), ankle - day-to-day
• Matt Smaby (D), lower body - day-to-day
• Dwayne Roloson (projected to start in net)