It looks like Sidney Crosby is back. After struggling early in the playoffs, Crosby netted his second goal in as many games and helped lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-2 win Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
With the win, the Penguins took a 2-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The first period was pretty even (the Penguins had 10 shots on goal to the Lightning’s 12), but nothing went in, keeping the game locked in a defensive battle. The second period was almost all Pittsburgh — the team had 21 shots on goal to Tampa Bay’s six. And one of those shots by the Penguins went in. With 10 seconds left in the period, left winger Carl Hagelin scored the first goal of the game.
HBK FTW.https://t.co/ECab9Zpqng
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 19, 2016
That started the scoring, and a bevy of goals were scored in the third period. Pittsburgh right winger Phil Kessel scored to make the game 2-0, but, 14 seconds later, Tampa Bay center Tyler Johnson scored to cut the lead to one. A little over five minutes later, Crosby scored a beauty (Malkin assisted on the goal) to make it a 3-1 game. A couple minutes later, Pittsburgh’s Chris Kunitz scored, rendering insignificant the goal from Lightning left winger Ondrej Palat that came with a little under two minutes left.
All in all, it was a dominant performance from the Penguins’ offense, showcasing both the team’s skill and speed — a dangerous combination.
Sidney Crosby
Crosby’s goal came on a 4-3 power play, which was crucial for a team that has been struggling to capitalize on man-up opportunities. Malkin and Crosby showed how well they know each other after playing together for so many years. Both players had a chance for a one-timer, but, after Crosby passed it to Malkin, Malkin passed it back and teed it up for Crosby. Crosby then nailed the puck and placed it perfectly, about an inch under the crossbar.
We have a good idea. Let’s watch that Crosby power-play goal again.https://t.co/xCO2Rmwfzf
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 19, 2016
Having Crosby back on his game will help the Penguins throughout the rest of this series. After Wednesday night’s goal and the overtime goal he scored Monday, the captain should have his confidence back.
Carl Hagelin
When it comes to speed, Hagelin is the man for the Penguins. Part of a dominant third line (along with Nick Bonino and Kessel), Hagelin has been phenomenal this postseason. In Wednesday’s game, he tallied that crucial first goal and also had an assist on Kessel’s goal (Hagelin also had six shots on goal.) He also tallied the second-most minutes for an offensive player (19:22), second only to Crosby (19:37).
Bonino and Hagelin earn the assists on the Kessel goal. That line has been absolutely unstoppable.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 19, 2016
Coach Cooper: “Kessel doesn’t get the respect he deserves. He’s scoring so much. Bonino is underrated. Hagelin has won everywhere he’s gone”
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 19, 2016
Ben Bishop
Perhaps the Tampa Bay player who had the biggest impact wasn’t even on the ice. Goaltender Ben Bishop, who injured his leg early in Game 1 and hasn’t played since, is hoping to come back in time for Friday’s game. While backup Andrei Vasilevskiy has played very well (he only allowed the four goals on 48 shots in Wednesday’s game), there’s no replacing Bishop, a Vezina Trophy finalist (the award given to the league’s best goaltender).
Bishop hopes to skate in Thursday’s practice.
What’s Next
The Penguins will face the Lightning in Game 4 on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. EST at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Image credit: Mike Carlson/Getty Images
