Penguins fall to Lightning

Associated Press

TAMPA, FLA.

Just making the postseason is not enough for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“It’s not our goal to get in and be happy with the first round,” left wing Ryan Malone.

Martin St. Louis scored his 30th goal of the season, helping the Lightning clinch their first playoff berth since 2007 with a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.

Steve Downie also scored for the Lightning, who have won three in a row following a four-game losing skid.

“A very good team,” Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. “A scary team.”

Dwayne Roloson made 36 saves, including 16 of 17 shots he faced in the third.

“They deserve it,” new Tampa Bay owner Jeff Vinik said. “We’re excited to be in the playoffs. It’s great to see the results on the ice.”

Pittsburgh, which had won its previous four road games, got a goal from Michael Rupp. The Penguins missed out on a chance to move within two points of Atlantic Division-leading Philadelphia, which lost 1-0 to Atlanta.

“We’ve got to finish strong,” Rupp said. “Our goal is to have Game 1 [of the playoffs] in Pittsburgh.”

Downie put the Lightning up 1-0 with a backhand rebound goal at 4:51 of the first.

St. Louis made it 2-0 with 9:47 left in the opening period. Vincent Lecavalier set up the goal with a check on Penguins defenseman Kris Letang that resulted in St. Louis picking up a loose puck and then beating Marc-Andre Fleury from just below the right circle.