TAMPA (AP) -
Steven Stamkos scored two late goals, giving him a NHL-best 58 this
season, and the Tampa Bay Lightning handed the playoff-hopeful
Washington Capitals a damaging 4-2 loss on Monday night.
Stamkos
gave the Lightning a 3-2 lead with 1:03 left, just 2:14 after Jason
Chimera tied it for Washington, when he put in a rebound after goalie
Michal Neuvirth had stopped Brett Clark's shot from the blue line.
Stamkos then scored into an empty net at 19:58.
Washington, which
also got a goal from Alexander Semin, is in eighth place in the Eastern
Conference. The Capitals have a two-point lead over the Buffalo Sabres
with two games remaining. The Sabres have three games left.
The Captials are three points behind Southeast Division-leading Florida.
Teddy Purcell and Victor Hedman also scored for the Lightning, who have already been eliminated from playoff contention.
