Tampa Bay Lightning confident entering Game 3 against Washington Capitals – NHL Play-offs Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning could not have started off the series any better than they did as they continued their winning streak from the quarter-finals, winning five consecutive National Hockey League play-off matches.
Winning game one and two against the Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay is all set to throw them on the verge of elimination come game three on Tuesday. They return home after a 2-0 lead in the semi-finals giving them a huge edge over the Eastern Conference’s
Number 1 seed, the Washington Capitals.
The Lightning are confident but not overconfident in any way at all. After bouncing back to win three consecutive games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay knows that the series can take a turn at anytime, thus focusing on the target is their priority.
They know they will have the home-ice advantage, but taking the Capitals easy is a mistake they are not willing to make.
"It's because for me, the roles are not reversed. For me, it's one game, and every game's a championship game," Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher said. "That's what we try to do all year long. We never try to look at standings. We never stressed where we were
in the big picture. We kept it very limited to what we have to do.”
Both teams have taken full advantage of their Monday off to reenergise themselves for the next two games which will be played consecutively.
The Capitals are positive that they are able to make a come-back regardless of where they will be playing. To them, home-ice is not something that gives them an advantage in any way.
"Well, they have to win four. And we have been in tough situations this year, and we've bounced back. And we're going in there to win Tuesday night," Washington Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "I think the games have been so close that, I mean, it's one move
here, one move there. ... It's not like we're going to go in there and throw in the towel. We're ready to play."
Washington is certainly capable of recovering without any difficultly as seen during the regular season. They bounced back and took over the first place in the Eastern Conference and finally retained it until the play-offs. Throwing down the Philadelphia
Flyers who had held the top spot for a major portion of the season, Washington had it pretty easy near the end. It was a goal they had set post All-Star game and they achieved it with flying colours.
There is a lot of pressure on Washington’s captain Alex Ovechkin. Criticising his playing tactics, the fans want more of him during game-time. Boudreau rejected that notion and said that Ovechkin is trying his best, but when the other team is having a good
day, it is hard to stop them no matter what.
That is exactly what is said about Tampa Bay’s goalie Dwayne Roloson. The 41-year-old veteran has performed spectacularly in the first two games and has kept the Capitals at bay. Roloson’s performance is a key factor for success and if he can keep it consistent,
the Lightning will become unstoppable.
Washington is excited about the consecutive match-ups without a single day in between. According to the players, they are all workhorses and playing successive games is not a big deal for them. Capitals’ defenseman John Carlson expressed his team capable
of taking advantage of the situation and termed as something good for them to pull through the series.
Game three of the Eastern Conference semi-finals, takes place on Tuesday between Washington and Tampa Bay. It is scheduled to start at 6:30pm ET at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida.
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