C’mon. You didn’t think this would be easy now did you? Even after the 4-1 lead in the first period? This is the Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals. Nothing is easy. Especially in D.C. where the Lightning seemingly win once every administration. Heading into the night they had a whopping 18 wins in 62 trips to Capital One Arena. So, even with the big early lead, you knew it was going to be an interesting finish.
Sure enough, the Capitals clawed back to within a goal early in the third period, but a key stop by Jonas Johansson, who had 29 saves in his first career start against Washington, and a staunch penalty kill allowed the Lightning to hold the line.