Thrashers Pad Lead...Five Straight For The Penguins

UNDATED (AP) The Atlanta Thrashers needed overtime to expand their lead in the NHL's Southeast Division.<br/><br/>The Thrashers coughed up one-goal leads in each period before beating Buffalo 4-3 on

Monday, March 19th 2007, 9:11 am

By: News On 6

UNDATED (AP) The Atlanta Thrashers needed overtime to expand their lead in the NHL's Southeast Division.

The Thrashers coughed up one-goal leads in each period before beating Buffalo 4-3 on Keith Tkachuk's goal with 38 seconds left in OT. Alexei Zhitnik added a goal and an assist as Atlanta moved 6-points ahead of 2nd-place Tampa Bay in the Southeast.

In other N-H-L action:

-- Alexander Semin and Tomas Fleischmann helped the Washington Capitals embarrass the Lightning 7-1. Semin recorded a natural hat trick to give the Caps a 5-0 lead in the 2nd period. Fleischmann scored the first 2-goals and had 2-assists as Washington dealt the Lightning their second straight loss.

-- Jarkko Ruutu had the only goal in the shootout and the Pittsburgh Penguins tied the Ottawa Senators for 4th place in the Eastern Conference playoff race with a 4-3 win. The Penguins have won five in a row.

-- Mike Cammalleri had 2-goals and rookie Patrick O'Sullivan had a goal and 2-assists in the LA Kings' 5-3 win over Anaheim.

-- Colorado nipped San Jose 4-3 in overtime. Milan Hejduk got the winning goal, his 30th of the season.

-- Mike Ribeiro scored twice, including the game-winner with 40 seconds left in overtime, to send the Dallas Stars to a 5-4 win over Phoenix.