PITTSBURGH, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Chris Kunitz had a hat trick and Evgeni Malkin scored 7 seconds into a five-goal first period Wednesday, igniting Pittsburgh to an 8-1 win over Tampa Bay.
Two of the first-period goals came from Kunitz, who put together the second hat trick of his seven-year career.
Alex Goligoski had a goal and three assists for Pittsburgh, which played for the first time since dropping a 3-1 decision to Washington in the Winter Classic on New Year's Day. The Penguins had lost three of their last four games.
Marc-Andre Fleury was the beneficiary of the offensive surge and made 31 saves to get the win.
The only goal against Fleury came from Adam Hall early in the third period after the Penguins had built a 7-0 lead.
Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos are the top two point producers in the NHL this season, but they combined for just one in this contest. That came on an assist from Crosby on Pittsburgh's fourth goal.
Dwayne Roloson allowed five goals on 23 shots to take the loss. He was briefly replaced by Dan Ellis in the first period and Ellis returned for good in the third.
