Backstrom Hat Trick Dooms Tampa Bay Lightning

Dec 13, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie

(70) makes a save on Tampa Bay Lightning right wing

(24) in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Niklas Backstromscored his first regular-season hat trick as the Washington Capitals beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 Saturday night at the Verizon Center.

After a scoreless opening period, Backstrom scored twice in the second to give the Caps (14-10-5) a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes.

The Swede completed the hatty 2:17 into the third after taking an Alexander Ovechkin pass from the slot and sliding the puck past Lightning goalieBen Bishop.

The Bolts (19-9-3) bit into the Caps lead late asTyler Johnson, and thenMatt Carle, scored in an 1:53 period to cut the lead to 3-2 with 2:31 to play.

However,Eric Fehrwould put the game to bed when he added an empty netter at 19:21.

The game could have taken a different form though asSteven Stamkoshad given the Lightning a 1-0 lead in the first period but the goal was harshly waved off for goalie interference byRyan Callahan, despite Braden Holtby being well out of position.

Holtby made 26 saves while Bishop stopped 24 shots.

Both sides went 0-for-4 with the man advantage.Ondrej Palatmissed his second straight game with a lower body injury whileRadko Gudasalso sat out due to a stomach virus.

The Bolts continue their five-game road trip with a visit to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins Monday.

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