Lightning at Capitals
THE STORY: The Verizon Center has traditionally provided a safe haven for the Washington Capitals – and this season has been no exception. Winners of seven of their last eight in the nation's capital, Dale Hunter's charges will look to continue their victorious ways when they host the slumping Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday. The Capitals can credit part of their success at home to their tenacious penalty-killing corps, which has snuffed out the last 26 shorthanded opportunities. On Wednesday, however, Washington did not find itself in need of a penalty kill as it snapped a two-game losing skid with a 1-0 triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins. For its part, Tampa Bay matched a season high with its fifth straight loss (0-4-1) on Thursday with a 5-2 setback to the Carolina Hurricanes. While Tampa Bay has been ice cold, All-Star Steven Stamkos has collected nine goals in his last eight games.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHLN, SUN
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (17-21-4): Slow starts have plagued Tampa Bay this season – and Thursday's effort continued that trend. The Hurricanes stormed out to a 4-0 lead in the first period before cruising to victory. The Lightning have been outscored 50-30 this season after the first 20 minutes. A struggling power play isn't helping matters. Tampa Bay failed to convert on its only two opportunities with the man advantage on Thursday and is 2-for-35 in its last 11 games.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (22-17-2): When Dennis Wideman's phone rang on Thursday and he heard GM George McPhee on the other end, the defenseman jumped to the conclusion that he had been traded. “When he called me, I was like, ‘Oh, man, where am I going now?’ ” Well, McPhee was calling Wideman to tell him that he was selected to the All-Star Game. With eight goals and 21 assists, Wideman is on pace for career highs in both categories.
OVERTIME:
1. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is on pace for career lows in assists and points, but he was still selected to participate in his fifth career All-Star Game.
2. Lightning G Mathieu Garon allowed three goals on eight shots on Thursday before being replaced by Dwayne Roloson, who finished with 22 saves. Roloson turned aside 38 shots in the teams' lone meeting this season – a 6-5 overtime loss to Washington on Oct. 10.