"Mattias Ohlund stepped up and dropped Mike Green to the ice. Minutes later, the Lightning defenseman gave Alex Ovechkin a chop to the chops.

Ohlund received a penalty for the latter move, but in a way it showed that perhaps Tampa Bay is tired of taking it from Washington. After being shoved around by the Capitals the past three seasons, the Lightning have pushed back with consecutive victories against Washington, including Wednesday's 3-0 victory on home ice.

Dwayne Roloson stopped all 23 shots for his second shutout and his third victory in four starts since being acquired on New Year's Day. Dominic Moore, Sean Bergenheim and Simon Gagne all scored as Tampa Bay shut out Washington for the second time in the past eight days, handing the Capitals their first regulation loss since Dec. 18.

And for the second time in just over a week, Tampa Bay entered a game tied with Washington atop the Southeast Division, coming away with victories on both occasions.

"I think our team is maturing, we have a ways to go, but we are getting better,'' Ohlund said. "We are not where we want to be yet, but we are getting better each and every day. This is a great team to be a part of.''

For the past couple of days leading up to another key division matchup, the Lightning have talked about trying to build up Washington as their top rival. The Capitals, who are linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins on the rivalry chart in NHL circles, may have to start thinking in those terms, as well.

Since the 2007-08 season, Washington has owned Tampa Bay, at one point winning 12 consecutive meetings until the Lightning broke through last year, winning two of the six matchups. And after being kicked to the curb in the first two meetings this season, won by Washington by a combined score of 12-3, it is the Lightning parked at the top of the Southeast Division, two points ahead."