Lightning at Capitals
THE STORY: The Tampa Bay Lightning welcomed their top defenseman Victor Hedman back from injury Tuesday, but lost their goaltender. Mathieu Garon is out 3-4 weeks for a groin injury. The Lightning, four points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference, must go with either 42-year old Dwayne Roloson or rookie Dustin Tokarski in goal against the Washington Capitals. The Caps have their own problems, losing three straight to find themselves just two points ahead of Tampa Bay.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, SunSports (Tampa), CSN (Washington).
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (31-29-6): Garon had won six of seven in net. Tokarski was recalled from Norfolk of the American Hockey League, where he had won eight straight games. The 22-year old, who backstopped Canada to gold at the 2009 world junior championship, has only played 44 NHL minutes - none this season. The last time Roloson allowed less than three goals in a start was Nov. 17. The Lightning will likely need goals and league-leader Steven Stamkos has stepped up with 11 in the last 10 games. His linemate Teddy Purcell has a career-high 10-game point streak, in which he has 20 points.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (32-28-6): Washington has been shut out in three of the last eight games. The Caps put up three goals Tuesday, but lost to Carolina in overtime. They are 1-2-1 with one left on a five-game home stand and Alex Ovechkin has no points in the last three. Ovechkin has just 26 goals this season – 11 on the power play. The Capitals have struggled mightily with the man advantage of late -- going 0 for 14 the last six games and 2 for 35 the last 12. Michal Neuvirth has started the last six in goal, but Tomas Vokoun has practiced and could be available.
OVERTIME:
1. Tampa Bay is 8 for 30 on the power play over the last eight games.
2. Washington’s Troy Brouwer has five goals in four games against Tampa Bay this season.
3. The Capitals are 21-10-3 at home, while the Lightning are 11-19-4 on the road.