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Crosby helps Penguins beat Lightning to force Game 7

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71), of Russia, celebrates right wing Phil Kessel's (81) goal, during the first period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71), of Russia, celebrates right wing Phil Kessel's (81) goal, during the first period of Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

By Associated Press May 24, 2016 1 min read

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – The Pittsburgh Penguins are headed home for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final.

Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist, and Phil Kessel, Kris Letang, Bryan Rust and Nick Bonino also scored Tuesday night in a 5-2 victory that evened the best-of-seven series at three games.

Game 7 is Thursday night, with the Penguins hoping to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2009 and the Lightning looking to advance to the Cup Final for the second straight year.

Crosby assisted on Kessel’s 5-on-3 power-play goal in the opening period and skated around Tampa Bay defenseman Anton Stralman into the clear before sending a wrist shot between goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy’s legs for a 3-0 lead in the final minute of the second period.

Rookie goaltender Matt Murray returned to the lineup after being replaced as the starter for Game 5 by Marc-Andre Fleury.