Washington Blasts Tampa Bay In Game Two

Steve Bell

am800-sports-hockey-nhl-tampa bay-lightning-washington-capitals-playoffs-2018-1.3816989 TAMPA, FL - MAY 13: Lars Eller #20 of the Washington Capitals scores a goal on Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 13, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) (Lars Eller of the Washington Capitals scores on Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Lightning during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on May 13, 2018 in Tampa. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images))

The Caps cruise to an easy 62 win over the Lightning in Florida

The Washington Capitals scored in the opening minute of the game and twice in the last 1:02 of the second period to pull away to a 6-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning and a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference final.

Evgeny Kuznetsov and Lars Eller each had a goal and two assists.

Alex Ovechkin and Tom Wilson had a goal and an assist apiece.

Devante Smith-Pelly and Brett Connolly also scored for the Caps, who took the first two games of the best-of-seven matchup on the road.

Since 1974-75, teams that take a 2-0 lead in the conference final or semifinal have a series record of 39-2 (95.1 per cent).

Game 3 is tomorrow night in Washington.

Braden Point and Steven Stamkos had power-play goals for Tampa Bay, which rebounded after falling behind on Wilson's goal 28 seconds into the game.