In their home finale of the 2011-12 season, the Tampa Bay Lighting bounced back in the final three minutes to beat the Washington Capitals 4-2. Veteran goaltender Dwayne Roloson had one of his best games in an otherwise rough season, standing on his head in the second period and shutting the door in the third for 31 total saves.
Jason Chimera tied it for the Caps with 3:17 left in the game, scoring his 20th of the season. It started with a nice play by Mike Green, who brought the puck into the zone and hit Alexander Semin on the right wing. Semin fired a rocket at Roloson and the shot rebounded off to his right as Chimera rushed to the far post and easily slammed it home in front to tie it at 2-2.
Steven Stamkos, however, would quickly put the Bolts back in front beating Michal Neuvirth off a rebound in front for his 57th goal of the season. Stamkos, the former No. 1 overall pick with 12 game-winning goals this season, would add another with a nice empty-netter lofted from the bad angle on one knee along the boards. That would seal the 4-2 loss, ending the season series at 3-3 and sweeping the Caps at the Forum.
With two games left, the Capitals now return home for a huge game against Southeast Division leading Florida on Thursday night. Buffalo was idle on Monday but still has three games left to play, just two points behind the Caps in the race for the eighth spot.
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