The Pittsburgh Penguins will face the San Jose Sharks in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in game seven on Thursday.

Bryan Rust scored either side of Jonathan Drouin's goal for the Lightning to seal a 2-1 win and the Eastern Conference series.

It is the first time the Penguins have made the Stanley Cup Finals since 2009, when they defeated the Detroit Red Wings in a rematch of the 2008 series. 

After a scoreless first period, Rust gave the Penguins the lead one minute, 55 seconds into the second after the Lightning defence fell apart. 

The 24-year-old received a pass from Chris Kunitz in the middle of the ice, smashing the puck into the corner of the net unopposed.

Drouin managed to tie the game at 1-1 at 9:36 of the second period, but their jubilation was short-lived. 

Just 30 seconds after Drouin scored, Rust struck again for the Penguins to restore their lead, and from that point on they held on.

The Lightning fought hard for a late goal to tie the game at 2-2, but the Penguins defence held firm to seal their spot against the Sharks.