St Petersburg, Florida: Dwayne Roloson kept out the Washington Capitals and sniper Alex Ovechkin for the second time this month as the Tampa Bay Lightning moved top of the NHL's Southeast Division on Wednesday.

Roloson, who stopped 34 shots in a shutout victory over Washington last week, made 23 saves this time while Dominic Moore, Sean Bergenheim and Simon Gagne scored in a 3-0 win that snapped a tie with the Capitals atop the division.

"The result is the same, but at the same time you've got to give my team mates a lot of credit," Roloson told reporters. "Our defensive corps to our forwards, they played unreal tonight."

Washington's Semyon Varlamov made 35 saves but the stuttering Capitals (24-13-7) lost for the third time in four games.

After winning the last three division titles, Washington is being given a strong challenge this season from the Lightning (26-13-5), who moved into second place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind the Philadelphia Flyers.

The 41-year-old Roloson was acquired by Tampa Bay on New Year's Day in a trade with the New York Islanders. He has won three of his four starts since joining the team.

Opening goal

Moore scored the opening goal at 3:58 in the first where Bergenheim also netted. Gagne added a wrist shot goal at 18:18 in the second.

Steven Stamkos was held pointless and remained one goal behind the injured Sidney Crosby for the NHL lead.

RESULTS

  • Pittsburgh 5 MONTREAL 2
  • TAMPA BAY 3 Washington 0
  • CHICAGO 4 Colorado 0
  • ANAHEIM 7 St Louis 4
  • home team in CAPS