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Lecavalier looks to continue tear against Washington

Nov 16, 2007 - 2:32 PM Washington (6-11-1) at Tampa Bay (9-8-1) 8:00 pm EST

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) - Vincent Lecavalier is carrying the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The center will look to lead the Lightning to their fifth straight win on Friday against the Washington Capitals.

Lecavalier, who led the league with a career-best 52 goals last season, recorded a team-record fifth career hat trick and added two assists in a 6-1 win over Carolina on Wednesday.

The nine-year veteran also set a team record with his sixth straight multiple-point game, and is tied with Vaclav Prospal for the team lead with 12 goals.

Lecavalier has been the leader of an offensive attack that has scored five goals or more in each of the last three games.

Another key component of the winning streak is the play of the defense and special teams. Tampa Bay has killed off 12 of its opponents' last 13 power play opportunities, while goaltender Johan Holmqvist has posted a 1.25 goals-against average in the last four games.

The Capitals are heading in the opposite direction. Washington, which has scored two goals or less in six of its last seven games, is coming off a 2-1 loss to Florida on Thursday.

Alex Ovechkin has scored a goal in three consecutive games for Washington, which has lost 12 of its last 15 games.