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Tyler Johnson’s hat trick leads Lightning over Penguins

Carolina Hurricanes v Tampa Bay Lightning

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 11: Tyler Johnson #9 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Amalie Arena on December 11, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

Lighting forward Tyler Johnson had his second career hat trick as Tampa Bay hung on for a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday night.

The win was Tampa’s first over Pittsburgh since Nov. 17, 2011.

Johnson’s third of the night gave the Lightning a 4-0 lead at 2:37 of the second period.

Pittsburgh rallied back scoring three unanswered, but was unable to find the equalizer.

Patric Hornqvist got the Penguins on the board with his 13th of the season midway through the second.

Chris Kunitz scored midway through the third to make it a two-goal game. Kris Letang netted his eighth of the season with less than 90 seconds remaining, but that’s as close as the Penguins would get.

Nikita Kucherov had the other Tampa Bay goal.

Marc-Andre Fleury was saddled with the loss after allowing three goals on 10 shots. Jeff Zatkoff made 16 saves in relief of Fluery.

Lightning rookie Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 26 shots for his second career win.

With the victory, Tampa avoided its’ third straight loss.

Follow @dcmahiban