After losing the first game 3-1, the Pittsburgh Penguins needed to respond in a big way to make use of their home ice in Game Two against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

First Period

The Pittsburgh Penguins came out FLYING in the first period. The game started with Chris Kunitz on a partial breakaway only to be stopped by Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who got the nod due to Ben Bishop’s leg injury.

It didn’t take long for the Pens to get on the board after this. After a misread by the returning Anton Stralman, Matt Cullen was able to convert on a rebound off an Eric Fehr one timer.

Yup, we're Cullen that a perfect goal.https://t.co/Pwea4z5pkD

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 17, 2016

The Pens continued to roll and after sustained offensive zone pressure, they were able to double their lead when red hot Phil Kessel put a loose puck past the sprawling Vasilevskiy.

Shoot to thrill. Let's see that Kessel goal one more time.https://t.co/dsk6OH8XuJ

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 17, 2016

Vasilevskiy really kept the Lightning in this game throughout the first period and the Lightning were able to reward their goalkeeper by getting a goal back thanks to a smart pinch from Anton Stralman before he flicked the puck over Matt Murray.

With 50 seconds left in the first, Jonathan Drouin let go of a wicked snapshot to make it a 2-2 game heading into the first intermission. Matt Murray might want to have this one back.

Second Period

As the second period went on, both the Crosby and Malkin lines were almost invisible. Coach Mike Sullivan at the 10 minute mark decided to put Malkin, Crosby and Hornqvist together and it almost paid off. Malkin entered the zone and passed it over to Sid just to get denied by the glove hand of Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Neither team was really able to sustain offensive zone time for extended periods of time in the second period. Shots going into the third were 22-15 for the Pens with Vasilevskiy being a major reason why the game was still tied.

Third Period

The third period was dominated by the Pens, Tampa recorded only one shot in the first seven minutes of the period. Coach Mike Sullivan continued to switch from having a shift uniting Malkin and Crosby to seperating them but they just could not solve Vasilevskiy. Regulation ended with the shots 38-21 for the Penguins.

Overtime

Well that did not take long, the Penguins came into overtime on a mission to finish it early and boy did they ever. Rust layed the puck off for the captain Sidney Crosby and he made no mistake sniping it top corner.

Quick Notes

The Lightning will have to start generating more possession in the upcoming two games as they cannot rely on Andrei Vasilevskiy to win this series.

Jonathan Drouin was a real bright spot for the Lightning all night. He really was hitting the offensive zone with speed and posed a lot of problems for the Penguins defense.

Clearly, Coach Sullivan is trying to get Malkin and Crosby going, hopefully this overtime goal can wake these two up for the rest of the series.

Should be very interesting to see how Stamkos gets back into this lineup if/when he returns. Should allow the Lightning to reunite the “triplets” while putting Stamkos with Killorn and Drouin.

Game Three happens in Tampa Bay on Wednesday at 8:00pm EST. American viewers can tune into NBCSN, and Canadians can catch the game on CBC.

What did you think of Game two? Who are your three stars? Will Stamkos Return? Comment below!

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