Lightning Storm Through Washington

The Washington Capitals were burned by a severe Lightning storm on Day 104 as Tampa Bay skated to a 9-1 victory. The loss dropped Washington to 17-26-8.

Washington got off to a good start when Zigmund Palffy scored his 15th of the season from Rob Blake and Patrick Marleau at 1:30, but after the goal it was all Tampa Bay. Calder tied the game three minutes later from Brewer, and the Lightning outshot the Caps 11-5 in the period.

Tampa Bay continued to dominate in the second period, and the Bolts stormed the Washington net with five goals. Kubina got things started from Lemieux and Hejduk at 1:19, before Prospal made it 3-1 from Hejduk and Kubina at 3:21. Varlamov extended the lead to three goals just over three minutes later when he scored from Lemieux and Hejduk, and Sullivan made it 5-1 from Jillson and Cullen at 16:59. Lemieux completed the scoring in the second with his 25th goal from Kubina and Hejduk at 18:26.

The Lightning didn't let up in the final period as the team fired 12 shots on scored three more goal. Williams got the first at 3:04, before Savard scored a brace to finish off the scoring. His first came from Williams and Brewer on the power play at 6:22, and the second from Calder and Brewer at 11:04.

Manny Legace made 19 saves to take the loss for Washington, and Peter Skudra stopped just 10 shots in relief. Kari Lehtonen made 16 saves to earn the win for Tampa Bay.

The Capitals return to action on Day 105 against Carolina.