Capitals seize 2-0 series lead with 6-2 rout of Lightning

TAMPA, Fla. – It was the start the Lightning were looking for, but that was it.

Two power-play goals gave the Lightning the lead after one period Sunday in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. It was all Capitals after that.

Aided by another lastsecond power play goal, this time in the second period, the Capitals rallied past the Lightning, 6-2.

The Capitals lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 with series shifting to Washington D.C.

The Lightning have won five consecutive Game 2s under coach Jon Cooper after losing Game 1 of a series.

Having seized homeice advantage from the top-seeded Lightning, the Caps also have this going for them: Since 1974-75, teams with a 2-0 lead in the Stanley Cup semifinals have won 95.1 percent of the time.

The Lightning are 3-1 on the road this postseason, while the Caps are 3-3 on home ice.

When asked before the game if he planned any changes, Lightning coach Jon Cooper said no.

But he quickly amended that answer.

“The only changes needed is that everyone has to play way better,” Cooper said.

The Lighting then allowed a goal 28 seconds into the game. But, the bounce back from Friday’s Game 1 clunker appeared to be in the making when Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos scored powerplay goals.

The Lightning outshot the Capitals 13-10 in the first 20 minutes. It was a much better effort than in Game 1, when the Lightning managed only two shots on net in the first period.

Then came the second period.

The Capitals clamped down on the Lightning offense, making it hard for the Lightning to get through the neutral zone.

The Caps kept coming in the third, getting goals from Alex Ovechkin and Brett Connolly.