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Tarnasky's shootout goal lifts Lightning over Capitals

Mar 2, 2007 - 4:58 AM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Nick Tarnasky was the unlikely hero for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Tarnasky scored in the 10th round of the shootout to lift the Lightning to a 5-4 victory over the Washington Capitals.

The Lightning improved to 7-1-2 in their last 10 games after the lengthy shootout. The Capitals fell to 1-4-4 in their last nine.

Tarnasky scored the winner when he skated in and beat goaltender Brent Johnson over his blocker with a wrist shot. Three Tampa Bay players hit the goalpost in the bonus format.

"It was pretty fun, I didn't expect it," Tarnasky said. "The guys were real excited, it brought us together. I just went to my go to (shot), he (Johnson) played it right how I wanted to shoot it. It felt real good."

The center entered with just three goals and one assists in 60 games this season.

"I'm pro shootout," Johnson said. "I think it's great. I think it's great for the fans, its fun for us."

Washington tied the game, 4-4, with 11 seconds left in the third period on a 5-on-3 power play. Alexander Semin scored when his pass deflected off of Tampa Bay defenseman Nolan Pratt's stick past goaltender Johan Holmqvist.

"That's the way things happen in Washington," Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella said. "I'm not getting into a discussion about the calls at the end of the third period. Washington doesn't stop fighting, and they are tough. We're very fortunate to get the points out of this. Regarding the penalties, I'll just leave it alone."

Martin St. Louis gave the Lightning a 4-3 lead with 3:18 left in the third when he redirected Vincent Lecavalier's pass past Johnson.

"It was a weird game, but we found a way to win," St. Louis said. "We got a big goal from a player who doesn't shoot it much. This far into the season, it was big for us to get the points."

St. Louis had a goal and two assists, giving him seven goals and eight assists in his last 10 contests.

Earlier, Lecavalier's shorthanded goal tied the game, 3-3, at 12:44 of the third. He took St. Louis' pass in the slot and rifled the puck over Johnson's glove.

"It was a battle tonight the whole game," Lecavalier said. "Washington is a tough team, but we never quit. It was huge for us to get the points tonight."

Lecavalier's 42 goals leads the NHL. He has eight goals and nine assists in his last 10 games. Alex Ovechkin registered a goal and an assist for the Capitals. The superstar has scored in three straight games.

"We lost, and that's never a good feeling after game," Washington center Jiri Novotny said. "We are close to win the game, and if you don't score in ten shots in shootout, you don't win the game."