Penguins Beat Lightning in Game 3

Sidney Crosby & Co. kept pressing and shooting until the Pittsburgh Penguins finally imposed their will.

Crosby, Phil Kessel and Chris Kunitz scored third-period goals to help the Penguins beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night.

Carl Hagelin snapped a scoreless tie late in the second period and Matt Murray had 26 saves for the Penguins, who took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and proved that they're far from a one-man show.

"You don't win consistently without depth," Crosby said after scoring the winning goal for the second time in three nights.

Game 4 is Friday night at Amalie Arena.

Crosby's power-play goal off a pass from Evgeni Malkin restored a two-goal lead midway through the final period. Kunitz also beat goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy from the right circle to make it 4-1.

"It was a 4-on-3 so we had a one-timer on either side and [Malkin] was in a good spot to shoot it at the top of the ice," Crosby said. "He's just smart with the puck, and he's going to make the right decision. I don't think I called for it, but maybe I did."

Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat scored for the Lightning. They have lost two straight after winning the series opener in Pittsburgh. The defending Eastern Conference champions were outshot 48-28, including 38-16 over the last two periods.

Wednesday, May 18 Scoreboard

Pittsburgh 4, Tampa Bay 2

Game 3 - Penguins lead 2-1

Thursday, May 19 Schedule (Time Central)

St. Louis at San Jose

Game 3 - Series tied 1-1, 8 p.m.

Friday, May 20 Schedule (Time Central)

Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay

Game 4 - Series tied 1-1, 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 21 Schedule (Time Central)

St. Louis at San Jose

Game 4 - Series tied 1-1, 6:15 p.m.

Sunday, May 22 Schedule (Time Central)

Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh

Game 5 - Series tied 1-1, 7 p.m.