Another one bites the dust, right? At this point, what other phrase can you use to describe the Washington Capitals' recent run? The Tampa Bay Lightning came into the Verizon Center on a roll, and looked to be a challenger to the Capitals' throne in the Southeast. Three hours later, they left battered and defeated.
Alexander Semin notched his fifth career hat trick as the Capitals defeated the Lightning 6-3 for their sixth straight win. The Capitals have now beaten the Bruins, Flyers, Rangers and Lightning during that streak, asserting themselves as the leader of the pack in the East.
The game was closer than the score indicated. The Lightning struck first blood, and outshot the Capitals on the game. But the Caps scored four third-period goals, including all three from Semin. Semin broke a 2-2 tie with a power-play goal, scored again to make it 4-2 and added an empty-netter for the final margin.
Michal Neuvirth made 38 saves to get his league-leading 10th win of the season.