Final
Lightning, Capitals clash at Verizon Center
Nov 26, 2010 - 4:09 PM (Sports Network) - The top two teams from the Southeast Division will meet today in D.C. as the streaking Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center.The Lightning have won five in a row on the heels of a three-game slide and enter this evening's tilt four points back of Washington for first place in the Southeast.
Tampa's winning streak is the club's longest since a five-game stretch from Nov. 7-16, 2007. The Bolts last won six straight during an eight-game streak from Feb. 23-Mar. 6, 2004.
However, Washington has dominated this series in recent memory and the Caps posted a 6-3 win when the clubs met in D.C. on Nov. 11. Alexander Semin recorded a hat trick and also added a pair of assists in that recent victory. Semin has 18 goals and 35 points in his 30 career games against the Lightning.
All told, the Capitals have taken four of five and 16 of the last 18 meetings between the teams and Tampa has lost 10 of its last 12 in the nation's capital.
The Lightning were last in action Wednesday night against the visiting New York Rangers and Tampa was able to fend off a late rally by the Blueshirts to take the 5-3 decision at St. Pete Times Forum. Ryan Malone had two goals for the Lightning, who built a 5-0 lead through two periods before holding on for the win.
"We gave up everything they got," Tampa goaltender Mike Smith said. "If we would have just kept playing the way we did the first two periods they would have gotten nothing. We have to respect our opponent every night. We have to play a full game of 60 minutes."
Steven Stamkos scored his NHL-leading 21st goal of the season and assisted on both of Malone's tallies for Tampa Bay. Stamkos also is first in the NHL with 38 points, placing him two points ahead of Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby.
Brett Clark and Victor Hedman each tallied goals in the win, while Smith turned away 17 shots.
Lightning winger Simon Gagne missed his 16th straight game Wednesday with a stiff neck. He is questionable for today's game.
Tampa has won three straight away from home and is 7-5-1 overall as the road team this year. The Bolts will return to Tampa to battle Florida on Saturday before heading out on a two-game jaunt.
The Capitals, meanwhile, enter tonight with their eyes on a second straight win. Washington ended its longest losing streak of the year -- a three-game slide -- by downing the Hurricanes in Raleigh on Wednesday.
Brooks Laich tipped in the decisive goal with time winding down in the third period to lift the Capitals to the 3-2 victory at RBC Center. Laich's power- play score came after the Capitals had blown a two-goal edge. Nicklas Backstrom tallied consecutive goals to build the lead.
Alex Ovechkin notched three assists against Carolina, matching his point total from the previous six games.
Semyon Varlamov made 30 saves for Washington, which had given up 15 goals during its recent three-game slide. Varlamov was seeing his first action since Oct. 21, when he suffered a groin injury. With Michal Neuvirth nursing a lower-body injury, Varlamov could see his second straight start today.
Washington defensemen Mike Green and Tyler Sloan and forward Mike Knuble are all questionable for today's game. Green and Sloan sat out Wednesday's tilt with undisclosed injuries, while Knuble has missed the last three with facial lacerations.
The Caps have a stellar 10-1-1 record on home ice this year, but lost a shootout to Philadelphia in their last game at the Verizon Center on Saturday.
- TAMPA BAY: 0
WASHINGTON: 6
Final
Nov 26 7:34 PM - TAMPA BAY: 0
WASHINGTON: 5
End of 2nd
Nov 26 6:42 PM - Washington Power-Play Goal - Alexander Semin (17), from Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin at 11:21.
Lightning 0, Capitals 5 2nd - 8:39Nov 26 6:23 PM - Washington Power-Play Goal - Alexander Semin (16), from Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin at 8:56.
Lightning 0, Capitals 4 2nd - 11:04Nov 26 6:18 PM - Washington Goal - Alexander Semin (15), from Marcus Johansson at 6:52.
Lightning 0, Capitals 3 2nd - 13:08Nov 26 6:11 PM - TAMPA BAY: 0
WASHINGTON: 1
End of 1st
Nov 26 5:42 PM - TAMPA BAY: 0
WASHINGTON: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Nov 26 5:07 PM
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