Malkin scores quick in Pens win

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

A night after Tampa Bay went nearly 63 minutes before winning, the Pittsburgh Penguins needed only seven seconds to all but assure the Lightning of losing.

Chris Kunitz scored three goals, Evgeni Malkin got Pittsburgh going with a goal off the opening faceoff and the Penguins, playing for the first time since the Winter Classic, beat Tampa Bay 8-1 on Wednesday night.

Alex Goligoski added a goal and set up three others and Kris Letang had three assists to help the Penguins end a two-game losing streak.

Pittsburgh scored four times on its first eight shots while opening a 5-0 lead in the first against the Lightning. Tampa Bay was 9-1-1 in its previous 11 after beating Washington 1-0 in overtime Tuesday night.

“It was nice to get out fast,” Kunitz said. “Geno’s goal in seven seconds got us going, and things went right.”

Despite all the goals, it was a quiet night for NHL scoring leaders Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos. Crosby had an assist for the only point between them.

Crosby, shut out in his previous two games following a 25-game scoreless streak, has 66 points in 41 games and Pittsburgh is 26-12-3 midway through its season.

“It’s nice that other guys are getting confidence,” Kunitz said, “We don’t have to rely on Sid every night.”

Stamkos, who has 56 points, was awarded a penalty shot early in the second period, but lost an edge while tumbling in the left circle and didn’t get a shot off.