WASHINGTON – Mitchell Chaffee and Gage Goncalves scored, Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 20 of the 21 pictures he confronted behind a exceptional tight-checking group effort and the Tampa Bay Lightning received their eighth consecutive sport by beating the Japanese Convention-leading Washington Capitals 3-1 on Saturday.
The Capitals misplaced their third sport in a row for the primary time all season regardless of Alex Ovechkin scoring his 884th profession aim to maneuver 10 again of tying Wayne Gretzky’s NHL file. Earlier than Ovechkin’s aim with 3:59 left, they struggled to generate high quality scoring possibilities in opposition to one of many hottest groups within the league and couldn’t present sufficient help for goaltender Logan Thompson, who made 16 saves.
On the different finish of the ice, Vasilevskiy was good when the Lightning wanted him to provide you with a cease. The 2019 Vezina Trophy winner and 2021 playoff MVP blockered away a shot early and received his proper pad on an try by Washington defenseman Matt Roy late within the second interval.
Brandon Hagel sealed it with an empty-netter with a minute left.
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Takeaways
Lightning: Coach Jon Cooper’s group has discovered a technique to win that may be replicated within the playoffs, particularly if Vasilevskiy is on his sport. The Lightning final misplaced on Feb. 1.
Capitals: The comfy cushion that they had atop the East and the Metropolitan Division stays, nevertheless it has reduced in size whereas on this skid throughout their longest homestand of the season.
Key second
With the Capitals urgent, Goncalves beat Thompson with a shot via site visitors to offer Tampa Bay a two-goal lead with 13:52 left. It turned out to be the game-winner.
Key stat
With an help on Chaffee’s power-play aim, Nikita Kucherov prolonged his level streak to 10 video games.
Up subsequent
The Lightning go to Florida on Monday, the identical evening the Capitals host Ottawa.
The Supply: Info for this story was gathered by Stephen Whyno.
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