Victor Hedman’s goal in overtime capped off an outstanding game with a four-goal second period lifting the Tampa Bay Lightning to their sixth win in a row as the Bolts beat the Capitals for the second time in less than a week beating Washington 5-4 in overtime Wednesday night at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.The Lightning setting another record with this victory on the road as they’ve set new franchise records for regular season road wins (26) and points on the road (54).
After trailing 1-0 following the first period on a goal by Lars Eller, the Lightning offensive attack erupted early in the second period as the Bolts scored three times in the first seven minutes of the frame.Nikita Kucherov didn’t waste any time tying the game on a wrist shot from the circle on the power play for his 36th goal of the season.
The captain Steven Stamkos matched his man advantage team mate scoring his own power play goal 62 seconds after Kucherov lit the lamp and the Tampa Bay Lighting erased their early deficit and led 2-1.Anthony Cirelli added to the lead on a rebound in front of Braden Holtby to give Tampa Bay a two goal advantage at 3-1, but the Capital answered back with a pair of goals to tie the game at three a piece.
Carl Hagelin and T.J. Oshie each scoring for Washington late in the second period but they Caps couldn’t close out the period with a tie as Kucherov once again found the back of the net with his second power play goal of the night giving Tampa Bay a 4-3 advantage heading to the third period.
The final frame of regulation featured a lot of back and forth action but the Capitals were able to tie up the contest in the final minute of the game as Evgeny Kuznetsov was able to sneak a shot past Andrei Vasilevskiy with 52 seconds to play, and the game headed to overtime.
With the three on three action looming the most unassuming target for Washington’s defense was allowed to walk in and score on a back hand shot as Victor Hedman won the game for the Lightning as the Capitals allowed Hedman to skate from the circle right in front not defended to bury the game winner.
The Tampa Bay Lightning allowed a record high 58 shots on goal as Andrei Vasilevskiy set a new Lightning record and career high with 54 saves.The Bolts power play finished a perfect three for three while the penalty kill held the Capitals to a single goal on six chances.Steven Stamkos finished with a game high three points.
The Lighting will continue their road trip tomorrow night in Carolina against the Hurricanes.
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