Budaj to make Lightning debut vs. Penguins

Peter Budaj will need to be sharp in his first game with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The veteran netminder gets the call Friday versus the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, marking his debut with the Lightning following a trade from the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday

Budaj was acquired in a deal that sent former Lightning netminder Ben Bishop to Los Angeles.

He appeared in 53 games with the Kings this season posting a 27-20-3 record, alongside a .917 save percentage, and 2.12 goals-against average. Budaj has posted seven shutouts on the season, one back of Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby for the league lead.

The Lightning own a 29-25-8 record on the season and sit four points outside of the final wild-card seed in the East. A win against the Penguins would see the Lightning leapfrog the Philadelphia Flyers, one of three clubs that stands between Tampa and a playoff position.

Budaj, 34, is a pending unrestricted free agent.

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