NHL: Washington 4, Tampa Bay 1

WASHINGTON, April 3 (UPI) -- Alexander Ovechkin scored twice and Cristobal Huet stopped 18 of 19 shots Thursday to give the Washington Capitals a 4-1 win over Tampa Bay.

With the game tied 1-1, the explosive Ovechkin fired his 64th goal this season past Tampa Bay netminder Karri Ramo to give the winners the lead for good.

Later, the 22-year-old Russian scored his 65th (power play) and Tom Poti scored his second goal this season (empty net) with 68 seconds left in regulation.

Mike Green and Victor Kozlov both were credited with two assists for the Capitals, who have a six-game winning streak but still have not qualified for an Eastern Conference playoff berth, despite their 92 points.

Tampa Bay defenseman Filip Kuba scored his sixth goal this season (unassisted) 39 seconds into the contest.

Ramo made 36 saves on 39 shots for the Lightning, who have lost three in a row, seven of nine, and will not make the playoffs.