This is a 7* on TB

The big story for the season opener between the Penguins and Lightning is that Sidney Crosby is not expected to be on the ice. The Penguins’ star is still recovering from off-season wrist surgery and probably won’t be back until later this month. It’s a key absence for a Penguins team that is already outgunned in this matchup. In case you’d forgotten, the Lightning repeated as Stanley Cup Champions last June. They bring back the entire foundation of the two championship teams and unlike last year, Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov should be around the entire regular season. They are one of the favorites to win it all again this year, rightfully so, and if they do it they’d pull off the first three-peat since the Islanders won four in a row 40 years ago. Minus Crosby and Evgeni Malkin (also injured), the Penguins have little chance here. They have lost seven of the last nine times they’ve played the Lightning while dropping all five here in Tampa. All but one loss came in regulation time. Even if Crosby miraculously suits up, the Pens won’t win here. Play on TAMPA BAY

AAA