Capitals 2, Lightning 1 (SO)
Alexander Ovechkin scored the only goal in the shootout to lift the Washington Capitals to a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in a battle of Southeast Division rivals Tuesday.
Alexander Semin tied the game for the Capitals with 5:32 left in the third period with his fifth goal in his last 10 games.
Washington (37-20-10), which has won five straight and eight of its last nine, increased its lead to three points over Tampa Bay, and is tied with Boston for second in the Eastern Conference.
Capitals rookie goaltender Braden Holtby replaced the injured Michal Neuvirth to start the second period and stopped all 21 shots he faced, as well as shootout attempts by Dominic Moore, Adam Hall and Vincent Lecavalier.
Neuvirth took a shot in the mask by the Lightning's Nate Thompson 22 seconds into the game, but finished the period.
Sean Bergenheim scored for the Lightning (37-22-7), who have lost four straight and seven of their last 10 games.
Dwayne Roloson made 29 saves for the Lightning.