Tampa rally to win and push Capitals to the brink

A 4-3 win gave the Lightning a 3-0 lead over the top seeds in the Eastern Conference best-of-seven semi-final series.

TAMPA BAY // Tampa Bay struck twice in the third period to clinch a 4-3 win over Washington that pushed the top-seeded Capitals to the brink of elimination from the NHL play-offs, while Vancouver beat Nashville 3-2 to go a game up in their series.

Trailing 3-2 in the third period, Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos scored at 5:23 to tie the score before Ryan Malone put them ahead just 24 seconds later.

The win gave the Lightning a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference best-of-seven semi-final series. They can wrap up the series with a victory in Game Four at home tonight.

"We can't let up. You see in the Vancouver series (against Chicago) what happens when you do," Stamkos said later.

In the first round of the play-offs, the Canucks were 3-0 down in the series before prevailing in Game Seven. "Games Four and Five were blowouts for Chicago and they got the momentum right back in the series. We can't make that mistake."

The Capitals clinched their fourth consecutive Southeast Division title during the regular season but have not advanced beyond the second round of the play-offs since 1998.

Washington twice led in the second period where they got three goals from Mike Knuble, John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin.

Tampa Bay's Sean Bergenheim scored the opening goal in the first and Vincent Lecavalier added another at 11:51 in the second to level the score 2-2 for the Lightning, who are relishing their first post-season appearance in four years.

Vancouver, the Western Conference top seeds, avoided a second successive overtime rally from Nashville and held on for a 3-2 victory that put them back in front in the series.

Ryan Kesler scored twice, including the game-winner on a power-play at 10:45 in overtime.

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo made 28 saves while fellow Vezina Trophy finalist Pekka Rinne had 44.

David Legwand netted in the first period to give the Predators a 1-0 lead before Kesler tied the game 1-1 in the second and Chris Higgins gave the Canucks a 2-1 edge at 3:03 in the third.

Nashville's Joel Ward scored on a wrap-around shot with 6:42 left in regulation to force overtime.

Game Four is set for Thursday in Nashville.