PITTSBURGH — The puck ended up on Evgeni Malkin’s stick, and Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher could feel a sense of dread.
It didn’t matter that the Pittsburgh Penguins center hadn’t played in more than a week due to a concussion. Give the reigning NHL MVP a sheet of open ice in a tight game and things typically aren’t going to end well.
“We gave it to him," Boucher said. “That’s unacceptable."
So was the result for Tampa Bay.
Seconds later, Malkin split two defenders and tucked the puck into a wide-open net to tie the game, sparking a furious third-period rally as the Penguins beat the Lightning 4-3 on Monday night.
Malkin later added an assist on James Neal’s empty-net goal, punctuating the Russian’s return 11 days after suffering short-term memory loss and headaches when he slammed into the end boards during a win over Florida on Feb. 22. The 26-year-old was cleared to return to practice Sunday and was given the OK to play after passing the litany of NHL-mandated tests.
Considering the way Malkin dominated his teammates during workouts, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma wasn’t stunned to see Malkin play so brilliantly.
“He had guys shaking their heads at how strong he was yesterday," Bylsma said. “They were pretty amazed at how physical and strong he was on the puck, so to see him come out and play that way and be confident, I’m not real surprised."
Neither was teammate Sidney Crosby, who knows a thing or two about coming back from concussions after the injury cost him the majority of two seasons.
“He looked really good, I think, for a first game back," Crosby said. “I don’t know if he was doing any stick-handling while (he was out) but it looked pretty sharp. It’s fun. When he’s going like that it’s pretty tough to stop him."
The Penguins, too.
Less than 2 minutes after Malkin put the puck by Anders Lindback, Crosby gave Pittsburgh the lead for good with a one-timer from the slot. Crosby also collected his NHL-leading 25th assist as the Penguins remained unbeaten against the Lightning at Consol Energy Center during the regular season.
Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos scored twice to boost his league-leading total to 17, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Lightning from dropping their fifth straight.
“It’s the little things sometimes you get away with in the game and nobody ever talks about it, and right now it’s costing us," Stamkos said. “When you’re on a streak like that, those little things, it’s almost like you have to play a perfect game."
The Lightning did for the better part of two periods, taking a 2-1 lead before giving it away.
“We sabotaged ourselves with two turnovers," Boucher said. “There’s no excuse. There’s no reason for it. They’re easy plays. Make the easy play and that’s it."
Marc-Andre Fleury helped shore up a leaky Pittsburgh defense by making 25 saves as the NHL’s two highest-scoring teams kept things in check until the final 20 minutes.
Also on Monday:
Maple Leafs 4
Devils 2
TORONTO — Toronto’s Nazem Kadri continued his points streak with a goal and an assist against struggling New Jersey.
Coyotes 5
Ducks 4
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored in the fifth round of the shootout and Mike Smith stopped Bobby Ryan to help Phoenix beat Anaheim.
Kings 5
Predators 1
LOS ANGELES — Jeff Carter completed his fifth career hat trick with two goals in a 19-second span of the third period, and Los Angeles beat Nashville despite taking only 16 shots on net.
