The Lightning were unable to finish the Penguins off in six games, and game seven will be held in Pittsburgh. This team needs more of everything than they gave in game 6. They need more and better puck control. They need more and better defense, goaltending, and scoring. They can’t wait to score until the third period and expect to compete in these games with a Pittsburgh team, who, with the loss of Daley and the injury of some of their other defensemen like Maatta, who isn’t 100%, is all about offense. This was seen in last night’s game, where the Penguins constant attack wore down an already tired Vasilevskiy.

The Lightning also need to play more disciplined hockey, because allowing three power plays to a team with a deep and attacking offense vs. your backup goalie, no matter how good he is, will not end well. Six minutes down a skater when in an elimination game, whatever side you’re on,

But the Lightning outplayed the Penguins in some stats like faceoffs, but they lost the shots battle and the giveaways battle and just overall lost.

If there’s a chance that the Lightning can get Bishop back in net, whatever that chance, they need to do it. Because now it’s an elimination game for the Lightning, their wins of late have been very close, and the Penguins enter fresh off a needed victory with a chance to go back to the SCF, something Sidney Crosby has been haunted by. This has been the postseason of facing demons, and the Lightning need to end the trend.

The Penguins needed this game. Vasilevskiy has tested them, and they were able to beat him time and time again this game. Two break away goals, two great passes, and the Penguins come away with success. Sidney Crosby now has three game winners for the Penguins, and if he’s finally finding his groove again, this team is hot.

Matt Murray came in after missing a game, being pulled in his last start, and won the game for the Penguins. Their goalie controversy should be over, because Murray has been mostly fire for the team, and putting him in net once more was the necessary spark the team required.

If I made a prediction on this series, it has been broken. I expect all series to go to six. I’m now expecting Pittsburgh to finally get over the hump and win the next game.