The Tampa Bay Lightning took control of the Washington Capitals early in the second period, but the Caps got one back as the Bolts lead 3-2 after 40 minutes.

It did not take long for the Lightning to take their first lead. Martin St. Louis took advantage of Roman Hamrlik's error and a missed offsides call. The Caps had back pressure on St. Louis, but Hamrlik slipped in front of him, which gave St. Louis a wide-open lane to the net. St. Louis sent a backhand through Tomas Vokoun's legs at 1:05 for his 13th goal of the season.

Nate Thompson padded the Bolts' lead at 10:59. He started a cycle around the goal line and sent the puck to Dominic Moore behind the net. Moore then found J.T. Wyman as Thompson cut to the front of the net. Wyman fed an open Thompson for the latter's sixth goal of the season.

Thompson, however, helped cut Washington's deficit to 3-2 when Mathieu Perreault's centering pass deflected off his stick and into the net. Perreault received credit for the goal, his fourth in two games.