W2W4: Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins, Game 2

3:53 PM ET

PITTSBURGH — Despite a 3-1 loss in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Pittsburgh Penguins believe they were the better team against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan held a team meeting and explained the need to be more intense in Game 2 Monday (8 ET) at Consol Energy Center. The last thing the Penguins want is to lose two games on home ice.

“The message was we have to make sure we elevate our intensity and make sure we don’t beat ourselves,” Sullivan said.

Here’s what to watch for in Game 2:

Stralman could be back: For the Lightning, if defenseman Anton Stralman returns to the lineup for Game 2 — he had been out since March 25 with a fractured left fibula — fellow blueliner Nikita Nesterov would be the healthy scratch.

During Sunday’s practice at Consol Energy Center, Stralman showed no ill effects from his injury and appeared game ready. He participated in the team’s optional skate Monday, and again, appeared ready to return.

“Stralman is looking good,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Sunday. “He’s getting closer. Now we’re getting to the point where he is definitely day-to-day now, and that’s great news because he is extremely important player on our team.”

Stralman’s return would obviously boost Tampa’s blue line and it’s likely Cooper will reunite Stralman and Victor Hedman, who has been logging nearly 30 minutes of ice time per game in the playoffs.

During the regular season, Stralman, 29, had nine goals and 25 assists, was a plus-16 and averaged 22:05 per …

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