Malkin has three goals, two assists in Pens’ win

Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla.

Evgeni Malkin had five points and a third-period dustup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

And all he wanted to talk about after the game Sunday was the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 6-3 win.

Malkin had three goals and two assists, and James Neal added two goals for the Penguins, who recovered from a blown three-goal lead and skated off with a victory.

“I didn’t think about playing a great game ... I know we have two points,” Malkin said.

Malkin scored twice in a stretch of 1:49 midway through the third period to put Pittsburgh ahead 5-3 after the Penguins had squandered a 3-0 edge earlier in the frame. He completed his eighth career hat trick and fifth five-point game with an empty-net goal with 56 seconds to play.

Richard Park had the other goal for the Penguins, who have won two straight following a six-game losing streak.

Malkin and Tampa Bay captain Vincent Lecavalier were part of the first of two third-period scrums that resulted in penalties.

Malkin received a roughing penalty, while Lecavalier got a pair of roughing minors and a 10-minute misconduct at 12:11.

Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher said Lecavalier felt Malkin went for his knees on an earlier play.

“In those situations, he’s a captain and he wants to show that we’re not going to take everything and just be little poodles and wait for things to happen,” Boucher said. “So, for me, there’s absolutely no blame on his part there. That was his way of showing that we’re not going to take it.”

Malkin said he moved downward after not seeing Lecavalier until the last second on the potential check.

“I just wanted to play hockey ... I’m not going to fight,” Malkin said of the scrum. “I wanted to stay on the ice.”

Matt Gilroy, Ryan Malone and Teddy Purcell scored for the Lightning, who have lost seven straight and dropped into last place in the Eastern Conference.

Malkin scored on an in-close backhander at 7:38 of the third to break the 3-all tie and then skated in from the left wing boards and beat Mathieu Garon with another backhander with 10:33 remaining.