The Washington Capitals returned from the All-Star Break Tuesday looking to further prove themselves without their three best players. It seemed as if the Caps would do it again against the Tampa Bay Lightning, erasing a two-goal deficit to send the game to overtime. Yet, without Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green, the Caps' comeback failed to come complete in a 4-3 overtime loss.

Steven Stamkos scored the game-winning goal and his league-leading 33rd of the season when he put Martin St. Louis' rebound past a sprawling Vokoun. Moments earlier, Vokoun also sprawled, but made a highlight-reel save on Vincent Lecavalier to keep the game tied, but it ultimately did not matter.

Matt Hendricks, Mathieu Perreault and Troy Brouwer scored for Washington, who picked up a crucial point despite the loss to give them a one-point cushion over the idle Florida Panthers, who they face tomorrow in Sunrise.

In positive news, the Caps earned 30 shots on goal for the first time since January 7.