NHL Playoffs Penguins vs. Lightning Game 6 recap: Full highlights

The Pittsburgh Penguins answered the bell rung by Evgeni Malkin, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 in Game 6 to force a Game 7.

Pittsburgh Penguins star center Evgeni Malkin made a bold proclamation after a rough Game 5 by the Pens when he guaranteed that there would be a Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Going into the Amalie Arena in Tampa for Game 6, the Pens had to win Game 6 in order to force a Game 7. His teammates answered the bell as Pittsburgh beat Tampa Bay 5-2 to force a Game 7 in Pittsburgh.

The Pens’ stars were remarkably quiet in the series until Game 6. That changed, as the Penguins got goals from Phil Kessel in the first period, Kris Letang in the second period, and Sidney Crosby in the second period. Malkin had an assist on Kessel’s first period goal. Bryan Rust iced the game with a breakaway goal late in the third period. Matt Murray was phenomenal and he proved in Game 6 that he is the clear starter going forward for the Pens.

Tampa Bay has faced a ton of adversity throughout the season, making it to the Eastern Conference Finals even without their captain Steven Stamkos. That said, now they face their toughest challenge yet in the Pens in Game 7. Brian Boyle scored two third period goals to nearly lead the Lightning to a comeback.

Three stars

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby showed the heck up to Game 6 after being invisible for games four and five. He’s received a lot of criticism lately. If his critics watched Game 6, they’re probably off deleting tweets and thinking of how to explain away their hot takes. He had a goal in the second period and the primary assist on Kessel’s goal.

Kris Letang got the game winning goal with his second period goal. He did a great job using his energy for positive things as opposed to negative things. Letang had three shots on goal and was their best defenseman.

Penguins goaltender Matt Murray justified his head coach’s faith in him by stopping all but two of the 30 shots that he faced. He made some big saves in the third period as the Lightning did not go down quietly.

Highlights

Next Game

The Eastern Conference Finals will be going to seven games. Game 7 will be held in Pittsburgh at Consol Energy Center on Thursday, May 26. This series deserved to go to seven games and lo and behold, it has gone to seven games.

For more coverage of the NHL Playoffs, make sure to check out our NHL hub page.