LIGHTNING 4, CAPITALS 2: Steven Stamkos scored the go-ahead goal with 1:03 remaining and added an empty-netter with two seconds left as Tampa Bay handed visiting Washington a damaging defeat.

Brett Clark’s shot from the high slot deflected to Stamkos, who was alone at the top of the crease to pop in the rebound for a 3-2 lead.

Stamkos' empty-netter, which he scored while on his knees from a sharp angle along the boards, gave him a league-leading 58 goals.

Dwayne Roloson made 31 saves, including a big stop on Alex Ovechkin with nine seconds left.

Washington leads Buffalo by two points - and owns the tiebreaker - for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo has one game in hand.

Jason Chimera tied the game 2-2 for Washington, tapping in the rebound of an Alexander Semin shot at the left post with 3:17 left in regulation.

Just seconds after he hit the post from close range, Semin gave Washington the lead 12:47 into the second period. Mathieu Perreault set up Semin for a blast from above the right circle.

The Lightning responded with two goals 25 seconds apart. Teddy Purcell beat Washington goalie Michal Neuvirth from the left circle on the power play at 17:20 after a pass from Stamkos. Victor Hedman’s shot from the left point went through a maze of bodies and by Neuvirth for a 2-1 lead.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Stamkos equaled his career high with 95 points. … Semin reached the 20-goal plateau for the sixth straight season. … Hedman has eight points in 10 games. … Tampa Bay finished its home schedule 25-14-2. … The teams split six games. ... Stamkos' 58 goals are the second-most in a season since the lockout (Ovechkin scored 65 in 2007-08).