Washington's hopes of stabilizing its playoff chances were dashed by Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos as the league's top goal producer netted twice in the final minutes to give the Lightning a 4-2 victory over the Capitals Monday. Sitting in the eighth and final post-season spot in the Eastern Conference, the Capitals had a chance to gain some breathing space but remain in a vulnerable position, just two points ahead of ninth-placed Buffalo with two games remaining. “We're fighting for our playoff lives,” Washington wing Jason Chimera told reporters. “It means a lot playing for something this time of year. You want to be in that hot seat.” Washington was on the verge of at least earning a point as the game reached its closing stages. The visitors were tied 2-2 late in the third, but Stamkos buried the game-winner from in front of the goal with 1:03 left and added an empty-net score in the last seconds to run his NHL-leading goal total to 58 on the season. It was a brutal loss for the Capitals (40-32-8), who also could have moved within a point of Southeast division-leader Florida but are now in danger of missing the playoffs completely. Alexander Semin put Washington ahead 1-0 in the second period before Teddy Purcell and Victor Hedman responded about five minutes later to put the Lightning (37-35-7) in command. Chimera came up with the game-tying score at 16:43 in the third but it was quickly erased as Stamkos seized the spotlight and sent the Capitals home sulking. Kings 2, Oilers 0: In Los Angeles, the hosts edged closer to only their second division title in franchise history by beating Edmonton. Jonathan Quick made 19 saves in his NHL-leading 10th shutout, while Slava Voynov and Dwight King scored in the third period for the Kings, who began a frantic final week in the Pacific Division by opening a two-point lead over Phoenix. San Jose and Dallas also are in the tight race for the division crown and three Western Conference playoff spots. Los Angeles could clinch its first division title in 21 years with two regulation wins over San Jose in a home-and-home series starting Thursday — or the Kings could yet miss the playoffs. The Oilers will miss the postseason for the sixth straight year.
