CROSBY SCORES (ANOTHER) WINNING GOAL AS PENS FORCE GAME 7
The Penguins built a three-goal lead through two periods – powered by 1-1—2 from captain Sidney Crosby – and held off a Lightning rally in the final frame to extend the Eastern Conference Final as the Pens force game 7.
Crosby scored his third game-winning goal of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, all of which have come in the Conference Finals. His nine career playoff game-winning goals are tied for the third-most in franchise history, behind Jaromir Jagr (14) and Mario Lemieux (11).
Crosby, who shares second on the Penguins with 6-9—15 this postseason (17 GP), scored his 49th career playoff goal to move into a tie for fifth place among active players (w/ Patrick Kane). He now has 4-8—12 in 14 career games with the team facing elimination.
Phil Kessel scored his ninth goal of the postseason – the most in a single playoff year by a Penguins player since 2009, when Crosby (15) and Evgeni Malkin (14) helped Pittsburgh win the Stanley Cup.
GAME 7 MUSINGS
Thursday’s contest at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh (8:00 p.m. ET) will be the fifth Game 7 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This marks the second straight year that the Eastern Conference Final will require a seventh and deciding game – the Lightning defeated the Rangers 2-0 to reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2015.
The Penguins and Lightning will contest a Game 7 for the second time in as many playoff meetings. In the seventh game of the 2011 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Dwayne Roloson made 36 saves and Sean Bergenheim scored the lone goal in Tampa Bay’s 1-0 victory at PIT.
The Lightning hold an all-time record of 5-1 in Game 7s, including a pair of shutout victories in 2015 en route to the Stanley Cup Final. Tampa Bay has surrendered just three goals in their six Game 7 appearances.
The Penguins will skate in their sixth Game 7 in the past eight playoff seasons. They are 7-7 all-time in such contests (2-7 at home) with their last victory coming in the 2009 Stanley Cup Final at DET.
Tampa Bay defenseman Anton Stralman is undefeated in Game 7s (7-0), as is forward Brian Boyle (6-0) and defenseman Matt Carle (5-0).
TUESDAY’S RESULT
Home Team in Caps
Pittsburgh 5, TAMPA BAY 2 – series tied 3-3
SNEAK PEEK AT WEDNESDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
St. Louis @ San Jose, 9:00 p.m., SJS leads 3-2
NHL DATES FOR STANLEY CUP FINAL
The NHL has released the schedule of dates for the 2016 Stanley Cup Final, which will begin on Monday, May 30. All start times are 8 p.m. ET:
Game 1: Monday, May 30
Game 2: Wednesday, June 1
Game 3: Saturday, June 4
Game 4: Monday, June 6
*Game 5: Thursday, June 9
*Game 6: Sunday, June 12
*Game 7: Wednesday, June 15