New York Rangers' Rick Nash celebrates after scoring a goal as Pittsburgh Penguins' Kris Letang (58) watches during the second period of Game 3 of a first-round NHL playoff hockey series Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Rangers' Rick Nash celebrates after scoring a goal as Pittsburgh Penguins' Kris Letang (58) watches during the second period of Game 3 of a first-round NHL playoff hockey series Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York — Matt Cullen beat Henrik Lundqvist on a semi-breakaway after beating two defensemen early in the third period and the Pittsburgh Penguins spoiled the return of Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh with a 3-1 win in Game 3 of their first-round series on Tuesday night.

Sidney Crosby also scored and Matt Murray made 16 saves in his return to action in helping the Penguins take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series.

Game 4 is Thursday night in New York. The Rangers have lost four consecutive playoff games at Madison Square Garden going back to last season’s Eastern Conference final against Tampa Bay.

Kris Letang iced the game with an empty-net goal.

Rick Nash scored for the Rangers, who played without an injured McDonagh (upper body, hand) in the first two games in Pittsburgh. Lundqvist made 28 saves, giving up a power-play goal to Crosby and a one-on-one chance to Cullen.

This was a game in which the Rangers seemed to lose momentum after a first-period goal by Chris Kreider was nullified because of an offside call after a challenge.

Lightning 3, Red Wings 2

Detroit — Ondrej Palat scored with 2:59 left in the third period, lifting Tampa Bay to a 3-2 win over Detroit and a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.

Game 5 is Thursday night at Tampa Bay.

Ben Bishop stopped 26 shots for the Lightning and Petr Mrazek made 30 saves for the Red Wings.

Palat was in a perfect position right in front of the net to make the most of Jonathan Drouin’s pass on the game-winning goal. Drouin had three assists.

Nikita Kucherov had power-play goals in the first and second period to give Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead late in the second, but Detroit’s Darren Helm and Gustav Nyquist scored late in the period to tie the game.

Flyers’ Bellemare Suspended for Hit

Philadelphia — Flyers forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare has been suspended one game for checking Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov from behind.

Bellemare will miss Game 4 tonight as the Flyers try to avoid getting swept by the top-seeded Capitals in the first-round playoff series.

With about 8 minutes left in Game 3 Monday, Bellemare hit Orlov from behind into the boards and was given a major penalty and game misconduct. Orlov was slow to get up but was not injured and returned to the game.

In a video announcing the suspension, Patrick Burke of the NHL’s department of player safety said the onus was on Bellemare to avoid hitting a player in a vulnerable position. Bellemare’s lack of disciplinary history and Orlov’s health factored into the length of the suspension.

Phoenix Mayor WantsShared Arena

Phoenix — Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton is pushing for a downtown arena shared by the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes and NBA’s Phoenix Suns.

Stanton advocated the shared arena during his state of the city address on Tuesday, adding that funding for it would come from Maricopa County’s existing sports facilities fund and not new taxes.

The Suns have played at what is now called Talking Stick Arena since 1992, but have expressed desire to play in a new facility.

The Coyotes have one year left on their lease agreement for Gila River Arena with the city of Glendale and are exploring options for a new landing spot. The franchise also is exploring options in Tempe with Arizona State and in Scottsdale.

The Suns and Coyotes played in the same arena from 1996-2003.