The Lightning and Capitals are playing the first of two matchups this season.
When: Saturday, December 23 @ 7pm EST
Where: Capital One Arena - Washington D.C.
Radio: 102.5 The Bone, Lightning Radio
Where to stream: BallySports.com
Lines from Thursday's game (these could change)
Forwards
Nick Paul - Brayden Point - Nikita Kucherov
Brandon Hagel - Anthony Cirelli - Steven Stamkos
Tanner Jeannot - Luke Glendening - Mikey Eyssimont
Conor Sheary - Tyler Motte - Alex Barre-Boulet
Defensemen
Victor Hedman - Erik Cernak
Calvin de Haan - Darren Raddysh
Haydn Fleury - Nick Perbix
Goaltenders
Andrei Vasilevskiy
After winning their last two games at home, the Lightning will take on a Capitals team that’s also won their last three.
Alex Ovechkin went 14 games without a goal, but just recently got the game winner against the Blue Jackets. The Caps are currently in fourth place in the Metro division heading into tonight’s game. They are just barely hanging on to the first wild card spot.
The Lightning are coming off an emotional win against the Vegas Golden Knights. Road games haven't necessarily been their friend this season, but their last game could be the one that changes the way they approach the season.
They Bolts have won high-pressure playoff games at Capital One Arena before, but they haven’t seen a ton of success in the regular season yet. They’re 16-35-7 in 58 games there. A win in regulation will bump the Lightning up into the wild card spot. These next 3 games are a necessity for the Lightning to get back to where they want in the points race heading into the new year. Puck drop is at 7pm.