Lightning on the verge after Game 3 win

TAMPA, Fla – It took less time than it takes to make a cup of coffee for the Washington Capitals to go from ‘back in it’ to ‘on the brink’ as the Lightning rallied on home ice to score twice in 24 seconds and take a 3-0 series lead.
 
After winning both games in the US capital, the Bolts once again showed the kind of skills which has put them on the verge of their first Conference final since 2004, the year they franchise won its solitary Stanley Cup.
 
Sean Bergenheim gave the home town fans something to cheer about when he beat Caps goalie Michal Neuvirth in the first period as Washington saw one goal disallowed for having too many men on the ice and Mike Knuble robbed on the doorstep by the super hot Dwayne Roloson.
 
The veteran winger got his revenge early in the second period, stuffing home a rebound, before John Carlson fired the Capitals in to the lead as his shot found a way in through traffic. Lightning Captain Vincent LeCavalier tied things up with his fifth goal of the post season but once again the visitors struck as superstar Alexander Ovechkin latched on to a loose puck to reclaim the lead with a powerplay goal before the second intermission.
 
The lead was short lived however as Steven Stamkos displayed the laser shot which saw him net 45 goals this season, beating Neuvirth five minutes into the final frame to tie it at 3-3 before the Lightning surged forward again straight from the following face-off.
 
With the fans barely back in their seats, Ryan Malone managed to poke the puck in to the Capitals net just 24 seconds later for what proved to be the decisive goal as the Bolts shut the door.
 
Tampa Bay now sit on the brink of a famous series win and are starting to gain support for a serious Cup run across the league as Roloson, who stopped 29 shots on the night, continues to play at an elite level whilst the Lighting’s penalty kill has shut down their opponents powerplay for the second series running, with Ovechkins 2^nd period goal the only Caps goal with a man advantage in 16 attempts during the showdown.
 
The Lightning have a chance to wrap things up tonight at the St Pete’s Times Forum.
 
Contact the author: rob.mcgregor@prohockeynews.com