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Tampa Bay 3, Washington 2

Posted: Friday October 25, 2002 11:56 PM

Washington Capitals Related Info: Team Page City Page: • Washington

Tampa Bay Lightning Related Info: Team Page City Page: • Tampa

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Even high-scoring Jaromir Jagr could not bring an end to the Tampa Bay Lightning's unbeaten streak.

Fredrik Modin scored 81 seconds into the second period to give the Lightning a three-goal lead and Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 25 shots, including two breakaways, as Tampa Bay held on for a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals to remain undefeated after seven games (5-0-2-0).

Tough guy Chris Dingman and Dave Andreychuk scored 51 seconds apart midway through the first period to open a 2-0 lead for the Lightning, who snapped a nine-game winless streak against Washington (0-8-1-0).

"We talk about playing as a team," Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella said. "We have to temper (our emotions) and keep it a businessman-like outlook. You need to feel good and want the accomplishments but don't let it run away. We have nice balance on our team."

Modin made the Capitals pay for a costly turnover in their own zone, knocking the puck past goaltender Olaf Kolzig early in the second to give Tampa Bay a 3-0 bulge.

"I don't think about what others are writing about us," Modin said. "I know there is a strong feeling when we play, and we play with high confidence. I know where we are in the standings and that's all I really care about. We have a good feeling and we just want to keep riding it."

Khabibulin, who has started each of Tampa Bay's seven games, was strong in goal, stopping Jagr and Dainius Zubrus on shorthanded breakaways.

"This was a great atmosphere tonight," Khabibulin said. "It helped energize the team. You can't get too up about this start, but it's nicer than it's been in the past."

Jagr, a five-time Art Ross Trophy winner, and Kip Miller scored for Washington, which hadn't lost a game against the Lightning since November 5, 2000.

"Khabibulin was the difference," Jagr said. "You have to score and we have not been able to do that. They have adjusted to the new rules and have a good power play. They don't take stupid penalties. As long as they play that way, they'll do well.

"The key is Khabibulin. They can play the same style of hockey, but it's impossible to play that way forever. Everyone has a bad day."

Brad Richards intercepted an errant clearing pass at the Washington blue line and dished the puck to Martin St. Louis in the right faceoff circle. St. Louis' shot deflected off a Capitals defender and bounced to Modin, who made no mistake to record his first goal of the season.

"That was important for us, to get the third one," Modin said. "It looked like in the second half of the first period that (the Capitals) really took over the game."

After missing two games with a sprained MCL, Vincent Lecavalier returned to the lineup and set up the Lightning's first goal.

From behind the Washington net, Lecavalier threaded a pass to Dingman on the doorstep, and the 6-4 left wing deposited the puck past Kolzig at 10:29 for his first goal with the Lightning since being acquired from Carolina in March.

With the Capitals down to two skaters, Tampa Bay took advantage to increase its lead to 2-0.

Standing at the bottom of the right faceoff circle, Vaclav Prospal received a pass from defenseman Dan Boyle and spotted Dave Andreychuk alone on the left side of the net. The future Hall of Famer converted the pass for his 248th career power-play goal, putting him one behind Phil Esposito for the NHL record.

Jagr put Washington on the board at 9:57 of the second, batting in his own rebound after receiving a pass from Miller in the low slot.

With 37 seconds remaining in the third, the Capitals drew within one. Defenseman Sergei Gonchar fired a slap shot from the left point that Khabibulin stopped. Zubrus corraled the rebound in the slot and fed Miller, who scored from the right side of the net to make it 3-2.

Khabibulin received help from the left goal post with 6:33 left in the first period, when Steve Konowalchuk's slapper from the edge of the right circle rang off the iron.

"The difference in the game was the special teams in the first period," Konowalchuk said. "That was the game right there. Tampa is not an easy team to play. This is not a surprise. They're a pretty lively team."

The Russian goaltender denied Jagr twice on the same breakaway chance 68 seconds later, and watched Zubrus fan on a break less than six minutes into the third before smothering the puck.

"I don't think I did anything special as a goalie," Khabibulin said of stopping Jagr. "But when you make a play on a great player, it helps your confidence."

"Khabibulin's stops on the two breakaways were huge," Tortorella said. "Nik has let us know he likes seeing shots, so we can be more aggressive with Nik in there."

The Capitals, who fell to 3-3-0-0 on their eight-game road trip, entered the game with the league's best power play but were held scoreless on five attempts with the man advantage.