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Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher tried to calm things down, calling a timeout in hopes the Lightning would catch their breath.
Didn't happen.
Letang put Pittsburgh in front 29 seconds later on a perfect feed from Kunitz, who later assisted Malkin for an easy tap-in goal.
It was all the offense Johnson would need. The veteran had lost each of his previous four starts, raising concerns about Pittsburgh's goaltending depth as the postseason slowly approaches.
While Johnson wasn't spectacular, he was steady, which is about all the Penguins need these days considering the way the offense is humming.
The last time Tampa Bay visited Consol it walked out with a win in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
That Penguin team, however, was struggling to score without Malkin and Sidney Crosby, both out with injuries. Crosby is again sidelined with concussion-like symptoms, but Pittsburgh is getting by just fine without its captain.
Malkin kept the Lightning from creeping above .500 for the first time since Nov. 28. Tampa Bay came in 7-1-2 in its last 10 games to show signs of getting back in the playoff chase, but couldn't keep up with the Penguins turned up the pressure.
NOTES: Johnson picked up his 10th career assist on Kunitz's goal ... Garon had been 6-0-2 in his last eight starts ... The Lightning host Ottawa on Tuesday, while the Penguins wrap up a three-game homestand on Wednesday against Anaheim. ... Neal now has a career-high 55 points ... D Marc-Andre Bergeron and D Matt Gilroy were scratched by Tampa Bay, while D Ben Lovejoy and F Tyler Kennedy were scratched by Pittsburgh.
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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