Power Plays and Pothier Put Capitals Over Lightning

WASHINGTON D.C. — Tampa Bay entered the Verizon Center on Friday with an abysmal 12 road wins on the season, yet it took blowing a 3-1 first period lead for the Washington Capitals to show up and perform like a team bound for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

2009.04.27 Washington, D.C.: Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin (#8) battles Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis (#26) at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., on Friday night. (OffWing Photo/Pete Silver).

Through tenacious neutral zone pressure the Lightning managed a 3-3 tie which remained unbroken until 15:30 remaining, when Defender Brian Pothier netted his first goal in over a year, which would be the game-winner. Pothier, who still performs daily exercises for his eyes following a near career-ending check against the boards in January of 2008, was given a standing ovation from the home fans.

“It’s been a while and really feels good,” Pothier said. “I had to hold back the emotion a little bit, but I feel like I’m contributing. To put one in and an important goal was pretty special.”

2009.04.27 Washington, D.C.: Washington Capitals’ Brian Pothier celebrates following his first goal of the season to break a 3-3 tie with 15:30 remaining against the Tampa Bay Lightning, at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., on Friday night. (OffWing Photo/Pete Silver).

2009.04.27 Washington, D.C.: Washington Capitals’ head coach Bruce Boudreau responds to questions about the emotional impact of Pothier’s return and what the Capitals must do to prepare for the Stanley Cup playoffs. (OffWing Photo/Pete Silver).

“I just told him 15 months is way too long in between goals,” Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said. “You just think of the mountain the man had to climb. If you guys knew the days he came in — he couldn’t even focus, and he just sat there and he’d bring his kids in and he’d walked around and he’d leave. He practiced for two straight months without getting cleared, and he worked so hard, and to see a little bit of success happen to him tonight was really uplifting.”

The Capitals (now 45-23-7) went on to beat the Lightning 5-3 after Ovechkin’s open-net goal at 6.3 seconds, his 53rd goal this season. Their next game is at the Verizon Center on Wednesday, April 1st, against the NY Islanders (25-41-8).