Coming into this series, the Washington Capitals powerplay was portrayed as lethal, given enough room to maneuver. The Lightning penalty kill didn't give an inch, and the Caps went 0 for 5 on the powerplay as the Bolts won Game One by a score of 4-2 behind goals by Dominic Moore, Steve Downie, Steven Stamkos, and Sean Bergenheim. 

Bergenheim opened the scoring and extended his three game scoring streak with his team-high fourth goal of the playoffs on the rebound after Downie failed to complete a wraparound. Alexander Semin wasted no time in answering back as he fired in an equalizer from a pass by Marco Strum.

As the second period got underway, Eric Fehr caught the Bolts off-guard off a faceoff and had a clear path to the goal after outskating Nate Thompson to the net.

Downie's night was not over, however, as late in the second, he scored off a backhand chip shot that looped up and over Michal Neuvirth's shoulder as he struggled to recover from a sprawling save.

Steven Stamkos, recovering from a slow start to the playoffs as he struggled to get his footing on the larger stage, scored his third playoff goal on a powerplay after Jason Chimera was called for a roughing penalty.

The third period was a physical, bruising exchange of possession as the Lightning penalty kill stymied the Capitals special teams before Dominic Moore completed the night with an empty-net goal with 40 seconds left.

The Lightning take their 1-0 series lead to Sunday night's Game 2, which will be available on Versus beginning at 7 PM.