Bryan Rust and Penguins head to Stanley Cup after he scored twice, including the decisive goal just 30 seconds after the Lightning tied the contest.

Rust has helped the Penguins win Game 7 and so the Penguins head to Stanley Cup Final for the fifth time in franchise history (also 1991, 1992, 2008 and 2009).

THURSDAY’S RESULT
Home Team in Caps
PITTSBURGH 2, Tampa Bay 1 – PIT wins 4-3

Rust registered his second career multi-goal game in the postseason, both of which have come in series-clinching wins (also Game 5 of FR vs. NYR: 2-1—3).

Rust also became the eighth different rookie in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to score twice in a Game 7 and the first to do so since New Jersey’s Adam Henrique in the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at FLA (2-0—2).

Rust has scored five goals through 17 games in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs (5-3—8), equaling a Penguins record for a rookie in a single postseason (Michel Briere: 10 GP in 1970). Rust’s five playoff goals also match his career total from his 55 regular-season appearances (5-8—13).

The Penguins improved to 8-7 all-time in Game 7s, including a 3-7 record at home. They earned their first such win on home ice since the 1995 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. WSH (3-0 W), snapping a four-game skid.

The Lightning fell to 5-2 all-time in Game 7s, including a 2-2 record on the road. Their last loss in any Game 7 was in the 2011 Eastern Conference Final at BOS (1-0 L).

The team that scores first improved to 124-42 (.747) all-time in Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a 5-0 record this year.

Home teams improved to 97-69 (.584) all-time in Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including a 4-1 record this year.

2016 STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE
Penguins headed to Stanley Cup and will now will face the San Jose Sharks in Finals, which begins Monday, May 30, in Pittsburgh.

Based on regular-season point totals, the Penguins will host Games 1 and 2 of the best-of-seven series, as well as Games 5 and 7, if necessary. The Sharks will host Games 3 and 4, as well as Game 6, if necessary.

Click here for the complete schedule.