Resume the SE title fight; Capitals at Lightning preview

WHERE: St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
WHEN: 7:30 PM EST
MEDIA: Sun Sports (cable), 620 WDAE (radio)
OPPONENT COVERAGE: Japers’ Rink,

Since the Lightning’s 1-0 overtime win at Verizon Center last week, the Bolts have given up 14 goals in 9 periods of regulation play. Some have pointed to the effort put out in their thrilling victory in DC as the culprit to current woes: Leaving it all on the rink at Verizon Center and having little left for games against Pittsburgh, Ottawa, and New Jersey.

That, or you can just admit the last nine periods have been a road bump. A nasty one, but a road bump none the less.

The Southeast Division is a tight race and the battle at the top continues with the Capitals in Tampa tonight.

Washington played in Florida last night and after a 1st period where they were outshot 20-7… well… They battled back but ultimately lost that one 4-3. They did go to overtime in the loss, pulling them into a tie with the Bolts for the division lead.

One quirk from the game — Washington allowing 3 power play goals to the panthers, who were 12-136 on power play opportunities going into the game

Semyon Varlamov will likely be in net for the Capitals, seeing as Michal Neuvirth started last night in Sunrise. It’s not as if Varlamov has played poorly against Tampa Bay. He kept the Bolts scoreless through regulation, turning away 37 of 38 shots total through the game.

Dwayne Roloson will likely get the start tonight for the Lightning. I haven’t seen an update on Sean Bergenheim‘s status for the Bolts. He’s battling an illness/lung issues and missed time during the road trip.