Andrei Vasilevskiy made a franchise-record 54 saves, Nikita Kucherov scored twice and the NHL-leading Tampa Bay Lightning won their sixth consecutive game by beating the Washington Capitals 5-4 in overtime Wednesday night in a potential playoff preview.

Victor Hedman scored 3:01 into overtime to keep the Lightning rolling in their first game since clinching the Presidents' Trophy and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Despite nothing to gain in the standings, they were up to the task in a showdown against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

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Washington Capitals left wing Carl Hagelin (62) scores a goal against Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88), of Russia, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Andrei Vasilevskiy made a franchise-record 54 saves, Nikita Kucherov scored twice and the NHL-leading Tampa Bay Lightning won their sixth consecutive game by beating the Washington Capitals 5-4 in overtime Wednesday night in a potential playoff preview.
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, reacts during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Kucherov's two goals came on the power play and gave him 37 overall this season and increased his league-leading point total to 119. That's 14 more than the next-closest player, reigning Art Ross Trophy winner Connor McDavid.
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, reacts during the first period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

The teams meet again at Tampa Bay on March 30 and could face off in the Eastern Conference final for the second consecutive year, if each gets through two playoff rounds.
Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20), of Denmark, celebrates his goal with left wing Carl Hagelin (62) as Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) skates by during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

NOTES: Lightning D Dan Girardi was downgraded to out indefinitely with a lower-body injury. Girardi missed his sixth consecutive game, and D Anton Stralman missed his seventh in a row with a lower-body injury. ... Capitals D Brooks Orpik returned to the lineup in place of Christian Djoos after being rested at New Jersey on Tuesday in the first half of the back-to-back set. Djoos could return to the lineup, if Kempny misses any time.
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18), of the Czech Republic, skates with the puck against Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Capitals: Continue homestand Friday against former coach Bruce Boudreau and the Minnesota Wild.
Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13), of the Czech Republic, works for the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18), of the Czech Republic, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13), of the Czech Republic, works for the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18), of the Czech Republic, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) shoots next to Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny (6), of the Czech Republic, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) shoots next to Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny (6), of the Czech Republic, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)
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Washington Capitals left wing Carl Hagelin (62) scores a goal against Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88), of Russia, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Andrei Vasilevskiy made a franchise-record 54 saves, Nikita Kucherov scored twice and the NHL-leading Tampa Bay Lightning won their sixth consecutive game by beating the Washington Capitals 5-4 in overtime Wednesday night in a potential playoff preview.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, reacts during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Kucherov's two goals came on the power play and gave him 37 overall this season and increased his league-leading point total to 119. That's 14 more than the next-closest player, reigning Art Ross Trophy winner Connor McDavid.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, reacts during the first period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

The teams meet again at Tampa Bay on March 30 and could face off in the Eastern Conference final for the second consecutive year, if each gets through two playoff rounds.

Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20), of Denmark, celebrates his goal with left wing Carl Hagelin (62) as Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) skates by during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

NOTES: Lightning D Dan Girardi was downgraded to out indefinitely with a lower-body injury. Girardi missed his sixth consecutive game, and D Anton Stralman missed his seventh in a row with a lower-body injury. ... Capitals D Brooks Orpik returned to the lineup in place of Christian Djoos after being rested at New Jersey on Tuesday in the first half of the back-to-back set. Djoos could return to the lineup, if Kempny misses any time.

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18), of the Czech Republic, skates with the puck against Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Capitals: Continue homestand Friday against former coach Bruce Boudreau and the Minnesota Wild.

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13), of the Czech Republic, works for the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18), of the Czech Republic, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13), of the Czech Republic, works for the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18), of the Czech Republic, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) shoots next to Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny (6), of the Czech Republic, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) shoots next to Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny (6), of the Czech Republic, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Vasilevskiy was on top of his game as Washington set a franchise record with 58 shots. He stopped countryman Alex Ovechkin on a rush chance midway through the third period during one of the finest performances of his career, and rebounded in OT after allowing Evgeny Kuznetsov to tie the score with 52.6 seconds left in regulation.

Washington Capitals left wing Carl Hagelin (62) scores a goal against Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88), of Russia, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Carl Hagelin (62) scores a goal against Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88), of Russia, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Kucherov's two goals came on the power play and gave him 37 overall this season and increased his league-leading point total to 119. That's 14 more than the next-closest player, reigning Art Ross Trophy winner Connor McDavid.

Anthony Cirelli and Steven Stamkos each took advantage of a Capitals' mistake to score, and Stamkos added two assists for a three-point night. The Lightning's league-leading power play that hadn't scored in two games went 3 for 3, and their penalty kill was 5 for 6, thanks in large part to Vasilevskiy.

Lars Eller, Carl Hagelin and T.J. Oshie scored for the Capitals, who are trying to hold on to first place in the Metropolitan Division. Braden Holtby allowed five goals on 28 shots as the Lightning beat the Capitals for the second time in five days.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, reacts during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, reacts during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

The teams meet again at Tampa Bay on March 30 and could face off in the Eastern Conference final for the second consecutive year, if each gets through two playoff rounds.

There's no shortage of bad blood between them, and that caused the Capitals to suffer what would be a devastating loss. Defenseman Michal Kempny's left leg bent awkwardly as he went down to the ice during a tussle with Cedric Paquette, and he needed help from trainers to get down the tunnel to the locker room.

Kempny did not return with what the team called a lower-body injury. In the aftermath of Kempny going down, two unlikely fighters dropped the gloves when Washington's Jakub Vrana and Tampa Bay's Yanni Gourde traded punches. It was a boiling point in a fast-paced, intense clash that didn't seem at all as if the Lightning had nothing to play for.

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, reacts during the first period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, reacts during the first period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

NOTES: Lightning D Dan Girardi was downgraded to out indefinitely with a lower-body injury. Girardi missed his sixth consecutive game, and D Anton Stralman missed his seventh in a row with a lower-body injury. ... Capitals D Brooks Orpik returned to the lineup in place of Christian Djoos after being rested at New Jersey on Tuesday in the first half of the back-to-back set. Djoos could return to the lineup, if Kempny misses any time.

UP NEXT

Lightning: Make second stop on three-game trip Thursday at the Carolina Hurricanes.

Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20), of Denmark, celebrates his goal with left wing Carl Hagelin (62) as Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) skates by during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Washington Capitals center Lars Eller (20), of Denmark, celebrates his goal with left wing Carl Hagelin (62) as Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) skates by during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Capitals: Continue homestand Friday against former coach Bruce Boudreau and the Minnesota Wild.

Follow AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SWhyno

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18), of the Czech Republic, skates with the puck against Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18), of the Czech Republic, skates with the puck against Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (74) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

 Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13), of the Czech Republic, works for the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18), of the Czech Republic, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13), of the Czech Republic, works for the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18), of the Czech Republic, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

 Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) shoots next to Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny (6), of the Czech Republic, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)

Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) shoots next to Washington Capitals defenseman Michal Kempny (6), of the Czech Republic, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)