Evgeni Malkin’s hat trick gives Pittsburgh Penguins win against Tampa Bay Lightning, 6-3 – NHL Update
Evgeni Malkin scored a hat trick in the final period to help the resurging Pittsburgh Penguins win against Tampa Bay Lightning, 6-3, after losing a three-goal lead in the National Hockey League (NHL) season 2011-2012 game, on Sunday, January 15, 2012, at
the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Malkin, who was desperately needed by the Penguins in the absence of injured players, Eric Staal and Sidney Crosby, scored three straight goals in the last 12 minutes of the game, leaving the Lightning in awe.
"You're looking up and having two really good periods of hockey evaporate on you," Pittsburgh coach, Dan Bylsma, said after the win. "We had a lot of guys step up when we needed it, when things were unravelling there."
James Neal contributed two goals, while Richard Park scored one and Marc-Andre Fleury saved 17 shots to play their part in the victory.
The Penguins got an early lead in the game when Neal took the advantage of the shorthanded Lightning.
Steven Stamkos was sent off for two minutes for slashing Malkin. Three seconds before Stamkos’ return, Neal beat Mathieu Garon to score the first goal of the game.
The lead was extended by Park, who scored his second goal of the season, taking the score to 2-0. The first period ended at the same score.
After the goalless second period, the Penguins got another goal in the final period.
Near the end of the second period, Steve Downie was penalised for two minutes for roughing Matt Cooke.
The Penguins carried the power-play advantage in the next period and Neal once again stepped up and scored third goal of the game.
"It gives us momentum when we score on the power play," Neal said. "You want to do anything you can to get that goal in the man-advantage, and we're doing a great job moving the puck around in a shot-first mentality."
Despite falling three goals behind, the Lightning exploded in the next five minutes.
Matt Gilroy scored a wrist-shot after receiving assist from Stamkos and Martin St Louis for his team’s first goal of the game.
A minute later, Penguins’ Deryk Engelland was penalised for two minutes after high-sticking Louis.
The shorthanded Penguins paid the price when Ryan Malone tipped the puck into the net for Lightning’s second goal of the game.
The Lightning levelled the scores through a rebound goal by Teddy Purcell.
It was Malkin’s time to shine. He scored three goals; two of them were unassisted, within the span of 13 minutes to once again provide a three-goal lead to the Penguins.
The Penguins, who got their second straight win, are now going to play Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.
On the other hand, the miserable run for the Lightning continues. They lost their seventh straight game and are now going to take on Boston Bruins on Tuesday.
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