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Semin leads Caps past Lightning

Sep 23, 2007 - 3:22 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Alexander Semin's power-play goal at 1:41 of the second period was the difference-maker, leading the Washington Capitals to a 2-1 preseason victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night.

With the Lightning's Matt Smaby in the penalty box for hooking, Semin beat Johan Holmqvist for his first preseason goal, taking Nicklas Backstrom's pass and lifting the puck over the goaltender.

David Steckel opened the scoring at 7:46 of the first period for Washington, deflecting defenseman John Erskine's pass off Holmqvist's stick and over his shoulder.

Tampa Bay evened the contest at 11:17 with a shorthanded goal, as Martin St. Louis lifted a backhander high over the left shoulder of netminder Brent Johnson.

Holmqvist kept the Lightning in the game, turning away nine of the 10 shots he faced in the second period, with most coming during the Capitals' six power-play opportunities in the session.

Washington was 1-for-8 on the power play, while Tampa Bay was held scoreless on eight man advantages.

Johnson stopped 11 shots for the Capitals, while Holmqvist made 17 saves for the Lightning.

Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier, the reigning Maurice Richard Trophy winner, left in the first period with an "upper body" injury and did not return.

Center Brad Richards and defenseman Filip Kuba did not play for the Lightning. Washington was also without a number of regulars, including Alex Ovechkin, defenseman Tom Poti and captain Chris Clark.