WASHINGTON – Troy Brouwer got his first career hat trick, and Alex Ovechkin also scored Friday night as the Washington Capitals took a 4-3 victory that handed the Tampa Bay Lightning a sixth straight loss.
Brouwer scored in each period for the Capitals, who have won six straight at home and six of eight overall to move back into playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Tomas Vokoun made 28 saves to follow up his 1-0 shutout of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. Washington is 11-9-1 since Dale Hunter replaced Bruce Boudreau as coach in late November.
Steven Stamkos scored his league-leading 30th goal, and Tom Pyatt and Vincent Lecavalier also scored for the Lightning, who have yet to win in 2012.
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