Evgenij Malkin gave Pittsburgh hope of avoiding a knife-to-the-throat situation for the rest of the series. Malkin scored for the visitors four minutes into the game and Pittsburgh pushed for more.
Then came the game-changer. A brawl involving several players resulted in nine players being sent off. Pittsburgh's Bryan Rust was given two two-minute penalties, and on the ensuing power play, Trevor Zegras equalized for the home team.
Philadelphia continued to score, and despite Erik Karlsson's consolation goal midway through the third period, it was a 2–5 loss for Pittsburgh.
The series is now 3–0, and Philadelphia can decide it on Sunday night.
Facts: This is how it went in last night's playoff matches
Round of 16:
Philadelphia–Pittsburgh 5–2 (Philadelphia leads the series 3–0)
Minnesota–Dallas in progress
Edmonton–Anaheim in progress
