Final
Lightning, Capitals square off with first place on the line
Jan 12, 2011 - 3:55 PM (Sports Network) - The Lightning were able to shut down the Capitals' offense when the two teams last met just over a week ago. If they can do that again tonight, they'll reclaim sole possession of first place in the division.Tampa Bay aims for a seventh victory in its last eight games at St. Pete Times Forum this evening when it hosts Washington, which is riding a nine-game point streak.
The Lightning have already played the Capitals three times this season, with each matchup taking place in Washington. The Caps outscored the Lightning, 12-3, in winning the first two contests before Tampa responded with a 1-0 overtime victory on Jan. 4, just the Lightning's third victory in their last 20 versus the Capitals.
Tampa Bay, which has lost eight of its last nine at home to Washington, got a game-winner from Martin St. Louis with 2:06 left in overtime last week versus the Caps and 34 saves from Dwayne Roloson, who was making his debut with the Lightning after being acquired from the Islanders on Jan. 1.
Roloson, who picked up his first shutout of the season and 25th of his career, has made three starts since the trade, allowing just one goal in two wins but five in a loss at Pittsburgh on Jan. 5.
The 41-year-old netminder is 7-4-3 with a 2.22 goals-against average versus the Capitals and did not start the Lightning's most recent game, a 6-3 setback to the Devils.
Teddy Purcell and Ryan Malone both scored in the first period and Dominic Moore added a late third-period tally, but New Jersey netted five goals in the final stanza.
"We lost the game because we got scored on the penalty kill. After that, we had many chances to shoot and we didn't," said Tampa Bay head coach Guy Boucher.
Dan Ellis made the start and gave up four goals on 24 shots. He is 0-2-3 with a 3.44 GAA in his career versus the Capitals.
Tampa Bay is 12-3-2 at home this year and will play two straight and three of its next four at home.
Tampa Bay held a one-point edge over Washington for first place in the Southeast Division going into action on Tuesday, but the Capitals were able to pick up a point in a 4-3 overtime setback in Florida to create a tie.
Washington fell behind by three goals before rallying to force overtime. Marcus Johansson scored twice and Mike Knuble added a goal for his 500th career point. The Capitals split the home-and-home set with the hosting Panthers and are 6-0-3 in their last nine games overall.
"These slow starts have been costing us," said Caps forward Jay Beagle. "Coming back from a three-goal deficit is a positive, but we can't put ourselves in that situation."
Taking penalties also hurt on Tuesday. Three of the four goals netminder Michal Neuvirth allowed came while down a man. He made 37 saves in all.
Alexander Semin, who has two hat tricks and eight points in the two wins over the Lightning this year, missed last night's game with a lower-body injury suffered at home versus the Panthers on Saturday and is questionable again tonight.
- WASHINGTON: 0
TAMPA BAY: 3
Final
Jan 12 10:14 PM - WASHINGTON: 0
TAMPA BAY: 3
End of 2nd
Jan 12 9:19 PM - WASHINGTON: 0
TAMPA BAY: 2
End of 1st
Jan 12 8:18 PM - Tampa Bay Goal - Dominic Moore (8), from Nate Thompson at 3:58.
Capitals 0, Lightning 1 1st - 16:02Jan 12 7:45 PM - WASHINGTON: 0
TAMPA BAY: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Jan 12 7:40 PM
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