Sem-sational

Capitals 6, Lightning 3
Game Summary

The Capitals are having a hard time finding their game in the first period this year. They would once again fall to an early opponent goal by the Tampa Bay Lightning. But a superb second and third periods and a hattrick for Alex Semin helped the Caps down their Southeast Division rivals 6-3.

Alex Semin would net the game winner after scoring a pair of goals in the first half of the third period. One on the power play, the other even strength. It would cap a 5 point (3 goals, 2 assists) night for the Caps dynamic winger as he also got the empty netter at the end of the game to give him the hattrick.

In his first game back, Tom Poti would make an early impact in the second period by roofing a back hand rebound shot to give the Caps their first goal. Mike Knuble would bury a broken play in front of the net with himself below the goal line. But his reach back and chip it would beat a defenders attempt to clear and rang off the far post and in.

Alex Ovechkin is back in the goal column as he sprang Semin lose for a break away then followed up the play. When Semin was hooked he circled and found his fellow countryman in the slot and Ovi didn't miss shooting it seven hole on Bolts' goaltender Dan Ellis.

Back in the Swing of Things.

Nick Backstrom finished the night with a whopping four assists on the evening. His assist on Semin's power play tally was another amazing feed from the corner as the Bolts were quick to cover the pass to Mike Green on the point leaving Semin open in the slot. He would finish with a +3 on the night.

Contract Year Heroics

Alex Semin just hasn't been impressing with his laserbeam shots or his golden hands. The Capitals winger has been solid on both ends of the ice. In this game he was the lead back checker and thwarted the Lightning on more than one occasion. It was his second hatty of the season, sixth of his career.

Gr8 Eight

Ovechkin is sporting a eight game point streak and he can add a goal and 3 assists tonight. He has goal 9 and assists 13 and 14 giving him 23 points on the season so far.