PITTSBURGH (AP) — Steven Stamkos scored the first two playoff goals of his NHL career and the Tampa Bay Lightning emphatically avoided elimination with a convincing 8-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday in Game 5 of the first-round series.
Stamkos’ 96 goals over the past two seasons led the NHL, but he had only one assist over the first four games of the series. He had three points on Saturday.
The Penguins, who lead the series 3-2, will get a second chance to advance Monday night at Tampa Bay.
Simon Gagne and Pavel Kubina both scored their first two goals of the series, captain Vincent Lecavalier added his second of the series, and Martin St. Louis had two assists for the Lightning, who set a franchise record for goals in a road playoff game and handed the Penguins their worst home playoff loss.
