Lightning at Capitals Game Preview

Game #80
Time: 5:30 PM EST
Location: Capital One Arena
Broadcast/Streaming: BSFLX, MNMT, ESPN+, Hulu

Opponent’s Site: Japer’s Rink

Preview

Wow. The Washington Capitals have picked a really bad time to forget how to score goals. It’s been 8 games since they’ve scored more than twice in a game and, coincidentally, they’re 1-7 during that stretch. Due to their offensive drought, they find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture as of right now. Of course, with a win, they could climb back in, depending on the outcomes of a couple of other contests.

The “race” for the second wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference is basically running in reverse right now as the Capitals, Red Wings and Flyers are all mucked up their chances to claim the spot. The Penguins, who are on a 10-game point streak have laid claim to that spot for now. It’s going to be an interesting last week of hockey.

As for the Lightning, they’re comfortably ensconced in the first wild card spot and get the chance to play spoiler to Washington, a team that has historically given them trouble at Capital One Arena. The Bolts as 17-35-0-7 all time in the building.

With 96 points and three games left to play, they also have a shot at 100 points, which if you had told us that back in November, we would have asked you to pass the bottle of whatever you were drinking. It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the team as they gear up for the playoffs.

Staying healthy is their number one concern and it looks like most of their regulars will be good to go. Erik Cernak took a regular shift in practice after leaving their last game for a bit due to a blocked shot. Anthony Duclair was also back with the top line. Tyler Motte did not practice, with Conor Sheary taking his spot.

Expect Andrei Vasilevskiy back between the pipes.

Stats Match-up

Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning Projected Lines

Forwards
Anthony Duclair – Brayden Point – Nikita Kucherov
Brandon Hagel – Anthony Cirelli – Steven Stamkos
Mikey Eyssimont – Nick Paul – Mitchell Chaffee

Conor Sheary – Luke Glendening – Tanner Jeannot

Defenders
Victor Hedman – Darren Raddysh
Nick Perbix – Erik Cernak
Emil Lilleberg – Matt Dumba

Goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Matt Tomkins

Washington Capitals Projected Lines

Forwards
Alex Ovechkin – Connor McMichael – T.J. Oshie

Aliaksei Protas – Dylan Strome – Tom Wilson

Max Pacioretty – Hendrix Lapierre – Sonny Milano

Beck Malenstyn – Nic Dowd – Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Defenders
Martin Fehervary – John Carlson

Alexander Alexeyev – Nick Jensen

Trevor Van Riemsdyk – Vincent Iorio

Goalies

Charlie Lindgren

Darcy Kuemper

The Playoff Race