Washington Capitals: Top 10 greatest moments in franchise history

#7 Peter Bondra’s five goal game

On Feb. 5, 1994 the Capitals hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning in what was a memorable game for those that attended that night at the old Capital Centre. Peter Bondra scored five goals in a 6-3 win.

The Lightning struck first on the power play with a goal from Shwn Chambers. Bondra’s first goal came 27 seconds later on a rebound in front of the net. 15 seconds later, Dmitri Khristich found Bondra for a speedy breakaway goal to give the Capitals a 2-1 lead. The Caps would later go on the power play and Bondra got a good look in front of the net for a sharp angle shot to complete the hat trick.

At 18:56, Bondra added his fourth goal flying past two defenders off a deep pass from Dale Hunter. Bondra finished the breakaway for his fourth goal of the first period to make it 4-1.

In the second the Caps added to their lead with a goal from Steve Konowalchuk. At 19:30, Bondra added his fifth goal of the game. The Lightning got two back in the third from Danton Cole and Marc Bureau but it wasn’t enough as the Capitals went on to win 6-3.

Before there was Ovechkin, there was Bondra lighting the lamp night after night.