Eliminated Tampa Bay Lightning dampen Washington Capitals playoff hopes 4-2 -NHL Update
Tampa Bay might be out of the playoff race but that certainly did not stop them from taking down a still hopeful team as Lightning dominated Washington Capitals, 4-2, Monday night, April 2, 2012, at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Florida.
Steven Stamkos was without a doubt, the man of the match as he picked up three points consisting of two amazing and crucial goals for Tampa Bay along with setting up another.
Lightning still has three games remaining compared to Washington Capitals, who have only two. With six more points, Tampa Bay will have 87 but will still be behind eighth place Washington by one point.
"The way it's going right now is the way I want it to keep going the next three games," Stamkos said. "There's not a lot of thinking right now, it's just playing hard and going to the right places and getting some bounces. I'm not going to change anything
these last three games."
Alexander Semin put Washington ahead in the second period with the first goal of the night at 12:47. Teddy Purcell answered back on the power play with Dmitry Orlov out for interference as Stamkos fed him the puck for a one timer.
Victor Hedman broke the tie only 25 seconds later, sending Tampa Bay into the third period against Capitals with a one point lead.
Jason Chimera thought he had the game under control after an equaliser at 16:43 in the final round of regulation but two back-to-back goals from Steven Stamkos sealed the deal and brought up his total to 58 this 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular
season.
"We're fighting for our playoff lives, so it's not that hard to bounce back," Chimera said. "It means a lot playing for something this time of year. You want to play in the playoffs. Ask any player what is the worst day. It's sitting home watching the first
day of playoffs. You want to be in those playoffs. You want to be in the hot seat."
Washington was looking to widen their lead for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot but with a loss, Buffalo Sabres are only two points away from tying now. Capitals will be looking to win against Florida Panthers at home on Thursday.
Tampa Bay Lightning will kick off a three-game road trip against Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday followed by Toronto Maple Leafs and ending it off against Winnipeg Jets.
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