Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz bring Penguins back to within 1

Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz bring Penguins back to within 1 (Video)

May 20, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Tom Kuhnhackl (34) skates with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of game four of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the verge of a monumental third period comeback.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are learning the hard way that you can never kill off the Pittsburgh Penguins. Up 4-0 after two periods, it seems like the game was in the bag. But the Penguins aren’t ready to pack it in just yet.

The Penguins have proven to be an offensive juggernaut in the playoffs. With all the talk surrounding the HBK Line, it was Phil Kessel (who is a serious contender for the Conn Smythe trophy if they win), who got the comeback started. Not long after, Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz scored in quick succession to trim Tampa Bay’s four goal lead to just one:

That goal was Malkin’s first of the playoffs, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Even though the Penguins played well without his contributions, his presence is still significant in letting the HBK line terrorize opposing team’s third lines.

Chris Kunitz, meanwhile, continues to thrive on whichever wing he plays. Ever since he moved from Anaheim to Pittsburgh, he’s been loving it.

Even though the Penguins didn’t end up winning this game, momentum is completely on their side heading back to Pittsburgh. What should’ve been an easy win for Tampa Bay turned into a very tense affair. Credit to the Penguins for never giving up, although they should’ve played this hard for 60 minutes rather than 20.

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