Lightning overcome sluggish start, beat Penguins, 5-2

Jan 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) makes a save against Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) as Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh (43) defends during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesWith the Eastern Conference playoff race developing into a free-for-all, being able to pick up two points in a game where the odds are slightly stacked against a team is dreadfully important. On a day when the Tampa Bay Lightning didn’t check into their hotel until roughly 3:00 AM, and in which they were starting their back-up goaltender, and one of their promising rookies was out of the line-up, they still found a way (let Nikita Kucherov cook) to overcome a game-tying, third-period goal from the Pittsburgh Penguins to pick up those important two points in a 5-2 win.

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