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Lightning Vs. Capitals: Tampa Bay Mounts Third Period Rally, But Fail To End Losing Streak

The Tampa Bay Lightning dropped their sixth in a row on Friday night, falling 4-3 to the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center. The Bolts dominated play from the end of the second period until the final horn, but their third period flurry would come up just short. Troy Brouwer added an empty net goal for the Caps that would give him the first hat trick of his professional career. It would turn out to be the game-winner.

Down 3-1 and peppering Washington goalie Tomas Vokoun, the Lightning finally managed to get their second on the board and cut the deficit to one. It took an official review, however, as Steven Stamkos poked a shot from in front that ricocheted off the post, hit the goal camera in the back of the net and then popped out on to the ice. The Bolts celebrated as if it was a goal but play continued. The review left no doubt, however, as Stamkos was credited with his 30th goal of the season and the clock was spun back.

Brouwer's empty netter made it 4-2 and appeared to remove all doubt. But Vincent Lecavalier would cut it to a one-goal lead with just 11 seconds remaining. The Bolts would then win the ensuing faceoff and just miss a game-tying goal against Vokoun, as the puck hit the side of the net and time expired.

Tampa will now host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday looking to snap the losing streak.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Bolts, visit SB Nation's Lightning blog, Raw Charge.

Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.