Capitals at Lightning
THE STORY: The Washington Capitals will vie for the back-to-back sweep of their Sunshine State rivals when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. The Capitals came from behind to defeat the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Friday to draw within two points of them for Southeast Division lead. Washington has lost its last three games at Tampa Bay, two in the playoffs last spring. The Lightning are nine points out in the Southeast, but have 12 of the next 17 at home.
TV: 7 p.m. ET; CSN (Washington), SunSports (Tampa).
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (29-23-5): The Capitals could use a hot streak from Alexander Semin - and the talented Russian has four goals and four assists in the last seven games, including the winner Friday. Semin also likes playing against Tampa Bay, recording 22 goals and 40 points in 36 games. Even though he was quiet while getting swept by them in the Eastern Conference semifinals, captain Alex Ovechkin has punished the Lightning with 27 goals and 61 points in 44 games. Talented offensive defenseman Mike Green, who has been out since Jan. 7 with a sports hernia, made the trip with the Capitals and could play soon.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (25-26-6): GM Steve Yzerman dealt versatile center Dominic Moore to the San Jose Sharks Thursday and a trade of veteran defenseman Pavel Kubina could happen any day. Both were unrestricted free agents and Yzerman wanted to add some assets. With his team fighting an uphill battle for a playoff berth, Yzerman's Lightning are likely not done yet. All-Star Steven Stamkos has a league-leading 39 goals, two in the 6-5 overtime win over the Pacific Division-leading Sharks Thursday. Mathieu Garon is expected back in net Saturday.
OVERTIME:
1. Washington was 1 for 6 on the power play at Florida and is 5 for 43 the last 15 games.
2. Stamkos had his fifth career four-point game Thursday and has recorded 298 points in 300 NHL games.
3. Troy Brouwer has five goals in three games against the Lightning this season.