Lightning's win streak hits five
Johan Holmqvist repeatedly stymies the Capitals.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published November 17, 2007
TAMPA - During a moment in which Johan Holmqvist should have seen the silver lining, the Lightning goaltender unflinchingly focused on the dark cloud.
Never mind the stunning glove save he made on Capitals star Alex Ovechkin during a 5-2 victory Friday night at the St. Pete Times Forum or his key stop on Ovechkin's breakaway with five seconds left in the second period.
Holmqvist just kept on talking about how he lost his position on Washington's second goal, a scorching wrist shot by Ovechkin that beat him to the short and glove side.
"I kind of lost my position a little bit on that goal," Holmqvist said. "I can't give those guys too much room to shoot."
That is how far Holmqvist has come. Not satisfied to win, he wants to be perfect.
He has been close during a five-game winning streak that has Tampa Bay (10-8-1) just four points behind first-place Carolina in the Southeast.
Holmqvist has stopped 141 of 148 shots in the streak that tied his career best and upped his save percentage 20 points to the magic .900.
"He's been playing really, really well," defenseman Paul Ranger said. "He's just been solid, no weak goals. He's giving us a chance to win every night."
"That's the goalie's job," coach John Tortorella said. "And Holmer certainly has done his job."
That was important against the Capitals, who pressed the play and earned a 30-24 shot advantage over a Lightning squad that was flat after an emotional victory over the Hurricanes on Wednesday.
The Capitals, statistically the NHL's worst team and on a 1-6-1 slide, even led 2-1 in the first period. But the Lightning's talent was too much over the long haul, and Tampa Bay, with two power-play goals, was at least opportunistic.
Vinny Lecavalier, Brad Richards and Marty St. Louis each had a goal and two assists. Ranger scored in his third straight game, and Jan Hlavac scored with 4:41 left in the first period to tie the score 2-2.
But Holmqvist was the key, holding things together while the Lightning got its act together.
"I don't really think about it that way," Holmqvist said. "I just try to be aware of my game and focus on what I have to do."
Holmqvist and his teammates had to regroup after goals 44 seconds apart by Brooks Laich and Ovechkin gave Washington the lead 13:30 into the first period.
There was a timeout and Andre Roy's energizing fight with Donald Brashear. Holmqvist simply took stock.
Ovechkin's goal, his 13th, went short-side high.
Holmqvist put that in the back of his mind, and when Ovechkin, who had a game-high nine shots, closed in 3:14 into the second period, the goalie was ready with a glove save that preserved the 2-2 tie.
"It definitely seems like he's at his best right now," Capitals captain Chris Clark said. "He made some great saves."
Holmqvist made another on Ovechkin's breakaway to preserve a 4-2 lead.
"I just tried to be patient," Holmqvist said. "I was kind of lucky there.
"I guess you need that once in a while, too."
Call it a silver lining.