Washington Capitals Win Fifth Game in a Row, Beat Lightning in Shootout

The Washington capitals won their fifth straight game, leave the sunshine state with all four possible points, and now lead the NHL’s Southeast division by two points over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Without an injured Nicklas Backstrom (hand) or an injured Michael Neuvirth, who left after the first period when he was hit in the mask with a shot, the Caps managed to win in a shoot out. Holtby made 18 saves in two periods, many of the spectacular variety to keep his team close.

Alexander Semin won the game last night in south Florida in overtime and tonight he tied the game on the west coast of the state. Semin is heating up at just the right time as he scored on as pretty a curl and drag as you will ever see.  The capitals are now 16-0 when Semin scores a goal.

Holtby slammed the door on all three Lightning shooter during the shootout as Alexander Ovechkin converted the only Caps tally but one was enough for the win.

Dwayne Roloson was huge for Tampa but his mates could not score for him. The Bolts failed to score more than two goals for the eighth time in their last nine games.

Lightning head coach Guy Boucher failed to send his big guns into the shoot out round. Instead of Stamkos, St Louis and Lecavalier, it was Moore, Hall and Lecavalier. I am sure I will have more on that in the recap article.

The Capitals trailed in both shots and on the scoreboard for much of the game but ended up winning both. They won the game 2-1 and outshot the Bolts 30-28. My full recap complete with quotes from players and coaches will appear some time during the overnight.