Capitals at Lightning
Adam Oates becomes the third coach in two seasons to try and get the best out of the Washington Capitals. Oates will look to add new ideas to a team trying to get over the hump when the Capitals open their NHL season at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Oates, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in November, was known as a smart player and his job will be even easier if Alex Ovechkin can rebound from his career-low 65 points in 2011-12.
The Lightning have good depth on offense, led by 60-goal scorer Steven Stamkos. Tampa Bay will unveil its changes on defense with three games in the first four days of the season. Sami Salo and Matt Carle were brought in to take spots in the top two defense pairs and promising goaltender Anders Lindback was acquired from Nashville to team with Mathieu Garon.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, SunSports (Tampa), CSN (Washington).
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (2011-12: 42-32-8, 2nd Southeast Division): Crafty center Mike Ribeiro, who was the only major acquisition, might mesh well with Oates’ style and the move gives Washington a legitimate 1-2 punch up the middle with Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom, who missed 40 games last season with injuries, appears healthy but versatile forward Brooks Laich is out for the first few weeks with a groin strain. Washington can also improve if offensive defenseman Mike Green comes back to form after a pair of injury-plagued seasons. Braden Holtby, who stepped up in the playoffs for the Capitals last spring, is expected to start in goal.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (2011-12: 38-36-8, 3rd Southeast Division): The Lightning scored enough goals last season, ranking ninth in the league despite a struggling power play. However, Tampa Bay was last in goals-against and 26th in penalty killing. Carle and Salo, who both should help the power play, join Eric Brewer and Victor Hedman in an improved top four. Coach Guy Boucher said he will not rush Lindback into the No. 1 role and did not name a starter after practice on Friday. Stamkos has been playing with Ryan Malone and Martin St. Louis in early practices, while Vincent Lecavalier and Teddy Purcell have been part of another line.
OVERTIME
1. Cory Conacher, the American Hockey League MVP last season, made Tampa Bay’s roster and could get some duty as a top-six forward.
2. Washington D Tom Poti, who has not played in the NHL since Jan. 12, 2011 due to a broken pelvis and groin injuries, is back with the team.
3. The teams split six games last season, with each winning once in overtime and the Capitals earning a shootout victory.