Penguins Strike Down Lightning

The Pittsburgh Penguins have become the latest team to go wild offensively against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Stu Barnes scored twice during a five-goal second period and Martin Straka added a goal and two assists as the Penguins beat the Lightning 5-1 on Thursday night.

The Penguins, who had been shut out in four previous periods this season against Tampa Bay, scored four times during the opening 10:51 of the second period. Pittsburgh outshot the Lightning 11-0 during the goal-scoring spree.

"You start to get a little antsy when you've gone four periods without scoring," Penguins coach Kevin Constantine said. "They stopped us last time in here. In the first period (Lightning goaltender Bill) Ranford made some great saves. It's good to get some goals."

It was the eighth time in franchise history the Lightning have allowed five goals in a period. Tampa Bay has lost four straight, getting outscored 27-5.

"It's ridiculous. I'm sick of losing already," Lightning center Darcy Tucker said. "We're like a bunch of kids ... we make one bad play and we fall apart."

Pittsburgh improved to 6-3-1 on the road. The victory was just the second in 10 games for Pittsburgh when the Penguins' opponent scored the game's first goal.

Craig Janney, who has a team-leading 12 assists, had put the Lightning up 1-0 at 16:16 of the first period. It was Janney's second goal of the season and first in 16 games.

"There are no excuses to be found. (We made) mistake after mistake," Tampa Bay coach Jacques Demers said. "It's up to the players to lift their level of hockey."

After Kevin Hatcher tied the game 54 seconds into the second period, Bares made it 2-1 at 5:13 from in close after Straka made a nifty backhand pass from the high slot.

Barnes, who has scored two goals in a game twice in the last three games, notched his second goal and team-best ninth of the season at 7:31 following a pass by Straka through the crease.

Rob Brown gave the Penguins a 4-1 lead at 10:51, while Straka completed the barrage with 32.8 seconds left in the period.

"We've got a good group of forwards ... guys that are skilled and have heart," Barnes said.

Ranford, who was pulled after two periods, has allowed 19 goals in his last seven periods.

Jaromir Jagr picked up two assists, but saw his goal-scoring drought reach six games. The right wing has four assists over the stretch.

The two teams, who had a combined 20 penalties including six majors and two misconducts, complete a home-and-home series Saturday night at Pittsburgh.

Lightning right wing Stephane Richer returned after missing the past 13 games with an ankle injury.

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