Caps down Islanders in game seven, Lightning force decider against Red Wings

Evgeny Kuznetsov - Cropped

The Washington Capitals advanced to the Eastern Conference semi-finals in the Stanley Cup play-offs, after downing the New York Islanders 2-1 in game seven.

The Caps' narrow win marked the fourth game in the series decided by one goal, three of which were won by Washington.

The Islanders could only muster 11 shots on goal on away ice at the Verizon Center, but they did manage to fight back from a deficit - with Frans Nielsen's goal early in the third period making it 1-1, after Joel Ward's opener later in the middle stanza.

But Evgeny Kuznetsov would restore Washington's lead inside the final eight minutes, and his goal proved to be the winner.

It was the Caps' first post-season series victory since their conference quarter-final win over the Boston Bruins, in which they also had to scrape through via game seven.

Deciding games have also been unkind on Washington, however, especially against upcoming semi-final opponents the New York Rangers.

The Rangers have knocked out the Capitals in game sevens in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 play-offs, and the two franchises will clash in a post-season for the fifth time in eight years.

The Islanders' loss also meant their game six win would prove to be their final fixture at Nassau Coliseum, ahead of their move to the Barclays Center from the 2015-16 season onwards.

Also on Monday, the Tampa Bay Lightning took their Eastern Conference quarter-final series with the Detroit Red Wings down to the wire after a 5-2 victory in game six.

Four of the six games between the Lightning and Red Wings have been won by the visiting side, with Tampa Bay maintaining that trend at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena.

Two Tyler Johnson goals either side of a Jason Garrison effort gave the Lightning a 3-0 lead, but the Red Wings did not go away.

Tomas Tatar struck twice to make it a one-goal game with most of the third period to play, but the Lightning steadied the ship when Alex Killorn scored with little over five minutes remaining.

Cedric Paquette's late empty-netter was the icing on top, sending Tampa Bay into a home game seven at Amalie Arena on Wednesday.

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