TAMPA, Fla. | Dwayne Roloson made 23 saves for his second shutout this month against Washington and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Capitals 3-0 Wednesday night in a matchup of Southeast Division leaders.
Roloson, acquired in a New Year’s Day trade with the New York Islanders, had a 1-0, overtime win over Washington in his Lightning debut on Jan. 4.
Dominic Moore, Sean Bergenheim and Simon Gagne scored for the Lightning, who have won seven of 10 to build a two-point lead over Washington. Tampa Bay has missed the playoffs each of the past three seasons, while the Capitals are the three-time defending division champs.
Washington goalie Semyon Varlamov faced 38 shots. He had allowed six goals in his previous five games (4-0-1).
The Capitals are 6-1-3 over their past 10 games.
Moore put the Lightning up 1-0 with an in-close goal 3:58 into the game. Bergenheim made it 2-0 from the low slot with 3:56 left in the first.
The Lightning went ahead 3-0 when Gagne stopped a personal 11-game goal drought during a 2-on-none break at 18:18 of the second.
Tampa Bay defenseman Mattias Ohlund was penalized for cross-checking Washington star Alex Ovechkin with 7:08 to go in the first. Ovechkin ended the Capitals’ second and final power-play of the game after 22 seconds when he received a slashing penalty.
Ovechkin has only two power-play goals this season. Washington has converted three of its last 36 man-advantage opportunities.
Tampa Bay All-Star Steven Stamkos didn’t have a point, and has one assist over the last six games.
Notes: Ohlund went plus-3 in the game. … Ovechkin has three goals in his last 15 games. … Washington LW Alexander Semin missed his second straight game due to a lower-body injury. He had six goals and two assists in three earlier games this season against Tampa Bay. … Bergenheim (illness) didn’t play in the previous two games. … Capitals C Boyd Gordon returned after sitting out 11 games with a toe injury.
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