By Mike Didtler, Associated Press
December 10, 2016
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) scores past Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88), of Russia, while sliding across the ice during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (Chris O'Meara/AP)
TAMPA, Fla. -- Sidney Crosby had another eventful night.
The Penguins star returned after passing concussion protocol following a first-period hit to score his 20th goal, and that stoked Pittsburgh's rally for its latest victory.
Crosby and Evgeni Malkin both scored their second goals on third-period power plays, helping the Penguins come back to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 on Saturday.
Crosby was shaken up by Luke Witkowski's check with eight minutes to go in the first, but Pittsburgh's playmaker returned for the start of the second period.
"It was just kind of a stinger in my neck," Crosby said. "I got jammed."
It was the first meeting between the teams since the Stanley Cup champion Penguins beat Tampa Bay in a seven-game Eastern Conference final last season.
Phil Kessel and Kris Letang had three assists each for Pittsburgh, which won its fifth straight game. The Penguins are 6-6-1 when trailing after two periods.
After going 1-for-30 on the power play over the past nine games, Pittsburgh converted 3 of 5 chances Saturday.
"I'm not going to sit here and say it [looked] pretty early and we knew it was coming," Crosby said. "But [later] we had some really good looks and we put them in."
Tampa Bay's Jonathan Drouin scored the first of his two goals shortly after getting cut by a high stick. Valtteri Filppula also scored for the Lightning, who are 1-6-1 over their past eight games.
"Teams go through these situations," Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. "There's a lot of hockey left to play."
Matt Murray made 20 saves for the Penguins, and Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 33 shots for Tampa Bay.
After Crosby pulled the Penguins even at 3 with his 20th goal at 5:08 in the third, Malkin's right-circle shot with 11:24 left gave Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead.
Malkin has 111 power-play goals, which moves him past Jaromir Jagr (110) and Kevin Stevens (110) into second on Pittsburgh's career list. Mario Lemieux tops the list with 236.
Crosby opened the scoring 12:03 into the game, diving toward a loose puck and putting it past Vasilevskiy.
"The first goal he got, for me, personifies his compete level, his willingness to go to the battle area," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said.
Crosby has a goal in three straight games and a seven-game point streak (six goals, 12 points).
Tampa Bay got a four-minute power play late in the first after Drouin was cut below the left eye from a high stick by Malkin. Drouin returned soon after and tied it at 1 from the left circle with 2:03 left.
Drouin put the Lightning up 3-1 midway through the second by lifting a backhander past Murray.
"I think we were in it physically and emotionally," Drouin said. "But you can't give that team too many chances."
Murray made a terrific glove save along the goal line in the third.
"I think I was pretty lucky," Murray said.
Game notes
Pittsburgh has outscored opponents 39-17 in the third period. ... Malkin has a 13-game point streak against Tampa Bay (15 goals, 30 points). ... Lightning RW Ryan Callahan missed his sixth straight game. He has played in just 15 games since offseason hip surgery.
Pittsburgh has outscored opponents 39-17 in the third period. ... Malkin has a 13-game point streak against Tampa Bay (15 goals, 30 points). ... Lightning RW Ryan Callahan missed his sixth straight game. He has played in just 15 games since offseason hip surgery.
UP NEXT
Penguins: Play Arizona on Monday night in the first of three straight games at home.
Lightning: Start a three-game trip Wednesday night at Calgary.
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