Overtime Goal Keeps Capitals In the Hunt

Earlier in the third period, the Lightning had taken its first lead, 3-2, on a goal by Michel Ouellet. But the Capitals didn't fold. Instead, sensing the desperation of the moment, they cranked up the pressure in the final minutes.

"We were a desperate team at the end," Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I didn't think we had very much jump and we looked a little tired. It was a mentally tough game, but we found a way and that's all that counts right now."

They did it without a point from Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's leading scorer who was shut out for only the third time in 14 games.

Laich scored short-handed at 17:58 of the first period to put Washington ahead 1-0. But Capitals defenseman John Erskine remained in the penalty box for hooking, and the Lightning took advantage.

Jeff Halpern scored with six seconds remaining on Erskine's infraction, firing in a rebound from point-blank range at 18:40 to send the game into the second tied at 1.

It was a special tally for Halpern, who notched his first point against his hometown team. The Potomac native, who grew up cheering the Capitals from the stands at Capital Centre, played for Washington for six seasons and served as captain in 2005-06 before signing with Dallas as a free agent the following summer. Halpern was acquired by the Lightning as a part of the deal that sent Brad Richards to the Stars at the trade deadline last month.

The Lightning persisted in the second period as the teams traded goals once again. Grinder Matt Bradley put the Capitals ahead 2-1 at 3:11 with a wrist shot from the left circle. But Washington failed to capitalize on the momentum. Less than three minutes later, Lightning defenseman Alexandre Picard settled a pass after a faceoff and then fired a wrist shot from the point past a screened Huet. Huet smacked his goal stick against his pads, an apparent expression of frustration with the traffic in front of him.

"We still believe," Fleischmann said. "We still believe we can make the playoffs. So that's the big point of our push every night."

Capitals Notes: Lightning center Nick Tarnasky left the game in the second period with blurred vision after being elbowed in the head by a linesman. He did not return. . . . Vinny Lecavalier's assist on Picard's goal was his 600th career point. . . .

Right wing Chris Clark (groin tendon), defenseman Brian Pothier (concussion) and center David Steckel (broken finger) were out. Defenseman Steve Eminger, left wing Quintin Laing and goaltender Brent Johnson were healthy scratches. . . .

Prospect Sasha Pokulok, the 14th overall pick in the 2005 draft, was demoted from the American Hockey League Hershey Bears to the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL. . . .

Defenseman Paul Ranger (shoulder) and goaltender Mike Smith (knee) were out for Tampa Bay.