Capitals at Lightning
THE STORY: The Washington Capitals will be in the playoffs if they can win their last three games, but it won’t be easy with two on the road starting with Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday. The Capitals have lost only once in regulation in their last seven games and stand two points ahead of the ninth-place Buffalo Sabres. The Lightning are eliminated from playoff contention, but have won four of six.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, TSN2, RDSI, CS Maryland (Capitals)
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (40-31-8): Standout center Nicklas Backstrom returned Saturday after missing almost three months with a concussion and played 19:40. That news can only help an offense that has scored only 12 goals in its last six games. Shootout victories in their last two games have given the Capitals a boost. Alex Ovechkin has no goals in his last three games, but nine in his last 10. Michal Neuvirth made 39 saves in the 3-2 victory over Montreal on Saturday and is likely to get another start with Tomas Vokoun out with a groin injury. Alexander Semin has 41 points in 38 games against Tampa Bay.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (36-35-7): Stamkos needs four goals in four games to become only the second player in 16 years to reach 60 goals in a season, joining Ovechkin (65 in 2007-08). His 56 goals tie him with Ovechkin and Jonathan Cheechoo for the second most in a single season since the lockout. Ryan Malone reached the 20-goal plateau for the sixth time in his eight NHL seasons by scoring five in the last two games. Defenseman Victor Hedman has five assists in his last five games. The Lightning’s 39 shots on goal in the 3-2 overtime victory over Winnipeg on Saturday matched a season high.
OVERTIME:
1. The Lightning has beaten the Capitals four straight at home, including the playoffs last season.
2. Washington’s Matt Hendricks has four goals, but is 8 for 12 in the shootout this season.
3. Stamkos scored his fifth overtime goal Saturday - passing nine players at four - to set the NHL’s single-season record.