GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NHL: WASHINGTON (12-20) at TAMPA BAY (14-18)

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">------------------------------
Washington 1 1 --2
Tampa Bay 1 1 --2
------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Tampa Bay, Paul Ranger 6 (Vincent
Lecavalier), 4:28. 2, Washington, Tomas Fleischmann 5 (Alexander
Semin, Michael Nylander), 14:26. Penalties: T Fleischmann, Was
(slashing), 5:03; M St. Louis, Tam (tripping), 6:16; M Darche, Tam
(goalie interference), 6:48; S Morrisonn, Was (slashing), 10:49.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Washington, Quintin Laing 2 (Brian
Pothier), 0:08. 4, Tampa Bay, Vincent Lecavalier 22 (Vaclav Prospal),
5:50. Penalties: A Semin, Was (boarding), 10:23; F Kuba, Tam (double
minor high sticking), 13:20.

Shots on goal:
----------------------------------
Washington 10 12 --22
Tampa Bay 11 7 --18
----------------------------------

Goalies : Washington, Brent Johnson (18 shots, 16 saves). Tampa Bay,
Johan Holmqvist (22 shots, 20 saves). Referees: Greg Devorski, Tom
Kowal. Linesmen: Mike Cvik, Pat Dapuzzo.</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 2
TAMPA BAY 2 19:55 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 3
TAMPA BAY 2
3RD PRD: WAS - (PP) BRIAN POTHIER 3 (MATT PETTINGER, TOMAS
FLEISCHMANN) 5:06</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 3
TAMPA BAY 2 13:16 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 3
TAMPA BAY 2 6:37 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 3
TAMPA BAY 2 6:10 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 3
TAMPA BAY 2 4:09 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">NHL WASHINGTON 3
TAMPA BAY 2 0:47 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">NHL FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
WASHINGTON 1 1 1 3
TAMPA BAY 1 1 0 2 FINAL

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: TAM - PAUL RANGER 6 (VINCENT LECAVALIER) 4:28
WAS - TOMAS FLEISCHMANN 5 (ALEXANDER SEMIN, MICHAEL
NYLANDER) 14:26
2ND PRD: WAS - DAVID STECKEL 2 (BRIAN POTHIER) 0:08
TAM - VINCENT LECAVALIER 22 (VACLAV PROSPAL) 5:50
3RD PRD: WAS - (PP) BRIAN POTHIER 3 (MATT PETTINGER, TOMAS
FLEISCHMANN) 5:06

POWER-PLAY CONVERSIONS: WAS - 1 OF 6, TAM - 0 OF 4.

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
WAS 10 12 9 31
TAM 11 7 7 25

GOALIES: WAS - BRENT JOHNSON
TAM - JOHAN HOLMQVIST

OFFICIALS: REF - GREG DEVORSKI, TOM KOWAL
LIN - MIKE CVIK, PAT DAPUZZO

ATT: 18,367</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Washington 1 1 1 --3
Tampa Bay 1 1 0 --2
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Tampa Bay, Paul Ranger 6 (Vincent
Lecavalier), 4:28. 2, Washington, Tomas Fleischmann 5 (Alexander
Semin, Michael Nylander), 14:26. Penalties: T Fleischmann, Was
(slashing), 5:03; M St. Louis, Tam (tripping), 6:16; M Darche, Tam
(goalie interference), 6:48; S Morrisonn, Was (slashing), 10:49.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Washington, David Steckel 2 (Brian
Pothier), 0:08. 4, Tampa Bay, Vincent Lecavalier 22 (Vaclav Prospal),
5:50. Penalties: A Semin, Was (boarding), 10:23; F Kuba, Tam (double
minor high sticking), 13:20.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 5, Washington, Brian Pothier 3 (power play)
(Matt Pettinger, Tomas Fleischmann), 5:06. Penalties: S O'Brien, Tam
(high sticking), 3:23; A Ovechkin, Was (tripping), 12:05.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Washington 10 12 9 --31
Tampa Bay 11 7 7 --25
---------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Washington - 1 of 6, Tampa Bay - 0 of 4.
Goalies : Washington, Brent Johnson (25 shots, 23 saves; record:
3-4-1). Tampa Bay, Johan Holmqvist (31 shots, 28 saves; record:
13-11-3). A: 18,367. Referees: Greg Devorski, Tom Kowal. Linesmen:
Mike Cvik, Pat Dapuzzo.</div>

 

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Alex Ovechkin did not record a pointfor the first time in eight games, but the Washington Capitalsstill managed just enough offense to down the Tampa BayLightning, 3-2, on Saturday.


Blue-liner Brian Pothier's third-period tally proved to be thedifference for the Capitals, who won for the fifth time in theirlast seven games and improved to 7-4-1 under interim coachBruce Boudreau.


Perhaps most impressive for Washington, which has allowed 98goals this season, was its ability to hold Tampa Bay's powerfuloffense to just two tallies - and none in the third period.

Pothier's shot during a power play at 5:06 of the third periodbeat goaltender Johan Holmqvist high to the glove side, snappinga 2-2 tie.


Holmqvist, who was pulled after allowing four goals on six shotsin Thursday's 9-6 loss to the Calgary Flames, has seen his teamlose each of the last four times he has been in net.

Tampa Bay, which lost for the third time in its last four homegames, has dropped consecutive home contests for only the secondtime this season.


The Lightning opened the scoring 4:28 into the first period,when defenseman Paul Ranger blasted a slap shot from above theleft faceoff circle that hit netminder Brent Johnson in theshoulder and bounced into the net.


The Capitals tied it up with 5:34 remaining in the openingperiod. Tomas Fleischmann emerged from a crowd in front of thenet and buried the puck past Holmqvist.


Washington moved ahead, 2-1, just eight seconds into the secondperiod. David Steckel took a pass from Pothier on the rightside and deked past a defender before firing a wrister byHolmqvist.


The NHL's top scorer this season, Vincent Lecavalier knotted thecontest at 5:50 of the session. Vaclav Prospal streaked up theright wing and dropped the puck to Lecavalier, who slapped ashot from the left circle between Johnson's pads.


Lecavalier, who assisted on Ranger's tally, has 50 points just33 games in the season.

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Washington 1 1 1 --3
Tampa Bay 1 1 0 --2
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Tampa Bay, Paul Ranger 6 (Vincent
Lecavalier), 4:28. 2, Washington, Tomas Fleischmann 5 (Michael
Nylander, Alexander Semin), 14:26. Penalties: T Fleischmann, Was
(slashing), 5:03; M St. Louis, Tam (tripping), 6:16; M Darche, Tam
(goalie interference), 6:48; S Morrisonn, Was (slashing), 10:49.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Washington, David Steckel 2 (Brian
Pothier), 0:08. 4, Tampa Bay, Vincent Lecavalier 22 (Vaclav Prospal),
5:50. Penalties: A Semin, Was (boarding), 10:23; F Kuba, Tam (double
minor high sticking), 13:20.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 5, Washington, Brian Pothier 3 (power play)
(Matt Pettinger, Tomas Fleischmann), 5:06. Penalties: S O'Brien, Tam
(high sticking), 3:23; A Ovechkin, Was (tripping), 12:05.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Washington 10 12 10 --32
Tampa Bay 11 7 7 --25
---------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Washington - 1 of 6, Tampa Bay - 0 of 4.
Goalies : Washington, Brent Johnson (25 shots, 23 saves; record:
3-4-1). Tampa Bay, Johan Holmqvist (32 shots, 29 saves; record:
13-11-3). A: 18,367. Referees: Greg Devorski, Tom Kowal. Linesmen:
Mike Cvik, Pat Dapuzzo.</div>

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">-----------------------------------------
WASHINGTON 1 1 1 --3
TAMPA BAY 1 1 0 --2
-----------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Tampa Bay, Paul Ranger 6 (Vincent
Lecavalier), 4:28. 2, Washington, Tomas Fleischmann 5 (Michael
Nylander, Alexander Semin), 14:26. Penalties: T Fleischmann, Was
(slashing), 5:03; M St. Louis, Tam (tripping), 6:16; M Darche, Tam
(goalie interference), 6:48; S Morrisonn, Was (slashing), 10:49.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 3, Washington, David Steckel 2 (Brian
Pothier), 0:08. 4, Tampa Bay, Vincent Lecavalier 22 (Vaclav Prospal),
5:50. Penalties: A Semin, Was (boarding), 10:23; F Kuba, Tam (double
minor high sticking), 13:20.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 5, Washington, Brian Pothier 3 (power play)
(Matt Pettinger, Tomas Fleischmann), 5:06. Penalties: S O'Brien, Tam
(high sticking), 3:23; A Ovechkin, Was (tripping), 12:05.

Shots on goal:
----------------------------------------
WASHINGTON 10 12 10 --32
TAMPA BAY 11 7 7 --25
----------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: WAS - 1 of 6, TAM - 0 of 4. Goalies :
Washington, Brent Johnson (25 shots, 23 saves; record: 3-4-1). Tampa
Bay, Johan Holmqvist (32 shots, 29 saves; record: 13-11-3). A: 18,367.
Referees: Greg Devorski, Tom Kowal. Linesmen: Mike Cvik, Pat Dapuzzo.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS

WASHINGTON TAMPA BAY
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
M Bradley 0 0 +1 2 J Ward 0 0 even 1
M Pettinger 0 1 -2 0 J Hlavac 0 0 even 0
N Backstrom 0 0 -2 1 B Richards 0 0 -1 1
B Pothier 1 1 +1 3 V Prospal 0 1 +1 2
B Laich 0 0 even 1 M Darche 0 0 -1 3
M Jurcina 0 0 +1 0 A Karlsson 0 0 -1 4
V Kozlov 0 0 even 1 M St. Louis 0 0 +1 3
S Morrisonn 0 0 -2 0 C MacDonald 0 0 even 0
A Semin 0 1 +1 4 D Janik 0 0 even 0
T Poti 0 0 +1 0 A Roy 0 0 even 2
D Steckel 1 0 +1 2 B Lukowich 0 0 even 0
T Fleischmann 1 1 +1 2 M Lundin 0 0 -1 0
M Green 0 0 -2 1 V Lecavalier 1 1 +1 3
Q Laing 0 0 +1 3 B Jones 0 0 even 0
J Schultz 0 0 +1 0 P Ranger 1 0 +1 2
A Ovechkin 0 0 -2 7 S O'Brien 0 0 -1 2
D Brashear 0 0 even 1 F Kuba 0 0 +1 2
M Nylander 0 1 +1 4 N Tarnasky 0 0 even 0
J Erskine HEALTHY C Gratton HIP INJURY
S Eminger HEALTHY
J Motzko HEALTHY</div>

 

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Alex Ovechkin did not record a pointfor the first time in eight games, but the Washington Capitalsstill managed just enough offense to down the Tampa BayLightning, 3-2, on Saturday.


Blue-liner Brian Pothier's third-period tally proved to be thedifference for the Capitals, who won for the fifth time in theirlast seven games and improved to 7-4-1 under interim coachBruce Boudreau.


Perhaps most impressive for Washington, which has allowed 98goals this season, was its ability to hold Tampa Bay's powerfuloffense to just two tallies - and none in the third period.

Brent Johnson made 23 saves to win for the third time in eightdecisions.


"Our defense and our forwards played unbelievable, man," Johnsonsaid. "Coming back, supporting each other, and on the penaltykill as well. Just amazing.


"I haven't played in a while, but I noticed that guys aresharing the puck so much out there. Guys are talking,communicating. It helps."


Pothier's shot during a power play at 5:06 of the third periodbeat goaltender Johan Holmqvist high to the glove side, snappinga 2-2 tie.


Holmqvist, who was pulled after allowing four goals on six shotsin Thursday's 9-6 loss to the Calgary Flames, has seen his teamlose each of the last four times he has been in net.

"He gave us a chance and we didn't generate enough offense,"Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella said. "We take a bad penaltyand we can't kill it."


Tampa Bay has dropped consecutive home contests for only thesecond time this season.


"We can't continue to take penalties," Tortorella said. "Idon't go by the minutes, I go by time short. Our power playstinks, they score a goal. You can't take a penalty."

The Lightning opened the scoring 4:28 into the first period,when defenseman Paul Ranger blasted a slap shot from above theleft faceoff circle that hit netminder Brent Johnson in theshoulder and bounced into the net.


The Capitals tied it up with 5:34 remaining in the openingperiod. Tomas Fleischmann emerged from a crowd in front of thenet and buried the puck past Holmqvist.


Washington moved ahead, 2-1, just eight seconds into the secondperiod. David Steckel took a pass from Pothier on the rightside and deked past a defender before firing a wrister byHolmqvist.


"It was a team win because everybody, I thought, contributed,"Boudreau said. "On a night where Ovechkin said to me coming offthe ice, 'It wasn't my night,' you know on a night like that,when everybody else can step up, I think that's an indicatoryou're becoming a good team."


The NHL's top scorer this season, Vincent Lecavalier knotted thecontest at 5:50 of the session. Vaclav Prospal streaked up theright wing and dropped the puck to Lecavalier, who slapped ashot from the left circle between Johnson's pads.


Lecavalier, who assisted on Ranger's tally, has 51 points just33 games in the season.


"We just didn't get it done," Lightning center Brad Richardssaid. "I think tonight's game, we didn't do enough to win. Itwas a little disappointing that way, but we'll definitely getback to work."

 

NHL: WASHINGTON at TAMPA BAY

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NHL
WASHINGTON 3
TAMPA BAY 2</div>