Lightning look to win back-to-back as they take on the Caps

Game Four: Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-0) at Washington Capitals (2-1-0)

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC

TV/Stream/Radio: ESPN, MNMT, 102.5 FM,

Odds: Lightning +110

Know the Opponents: Japers’ Rink

The Tampa Bay Lightning were able to stop the slide and pick up their first win in Boston on Monday night. Now they have a chance to make the first half of this not-really-a-four-game-road-trip even better by duplicating the result tonight in Washington, D.C. If they can stick to the habits they displayed in the first period of the game against the Bruins, they’ll have a good chance to make it two wins in a row.

A quick glance at the Capitals stats would indicate that it could be tough going in the goals department as they’ve allowed just five goals through their first three games. The biggest reason for that would be the play of their two netminders. Charlie Lindgren tossed a shutout in his only start while Logan Thompson has posted a .929 SV% in his two appearances.

Outside of that, the numbers are a little wonky. Yes, a small part of that is due to a small sample size, but the Caps haven’t exactly been a defensive brick wall. They currently rank in the middle of the pack in scoring chances allowed with 26.8/60 at 5v5 as well as in shots allowed at 27.2/60. They are allowing a minuscule 0.41 goals-per-60-minutes, but that might just be unsustainable considering their expected goals against is a good-but-not-elite 2.39/60.

Washington is also struggling on special teams, allowing three goals on seven short-handed chances. Meanwhile their power play has yet to dent the back of the net, going 0-for-8 on the young season. When Alex Ovcehkin is coming over the boards every night, that’s not a trend that is going to last for too much longer.

Those are some tendencies that should play into the hands of the Lightning. If they can dictate play and force the Caps to take some penalties they can get their power play on the ice, something that didn’t happen too often in Boston. They have two power play goals on the season (in eight opportunities), but have a couple of other chances that have looked good (as well as a handful that have looked like garbage).

However, the bulk of the game will be played at 5v5 and the Lightning need to make sure they’re up to par at that part of the game. They played their most complete game of the season against Boston, even with when things got a little loose in the early part of the second period, and need to better that effort against Washington. The line shuffle seems to have sparked their play, especially in their own zone, and the fact that the third line of Oliver Bjorkstrand, Yanni Gourde, and Pontus Holmberg outplayed the Bruins third line was a big key to the win.

That depth could prove key in tonight’s game as well.

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

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Washington Capitals

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