Washington Capitals look to enter into playoff spots with win over Tampa Bay Lightning - NHL Preview
Washington Capitals will look to enter into the playoff spots on Saturday, February 18th, 2012 when they take on Southeast Division rivals Tampa Bay Lightning at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
The Capitals occupy ninth spot in the Eastern Conference with 63 points are just a single point behind eighth placed Toronto Maple Leafs and have a great opportunity to move into the coveted playoff spot on Saturday.
Washington started a four game road trip on Friday with a 2-1 win over Florida Panthers and will look to repeat the same feat against Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Capitals though have struggled for consistency in February, winning just three of their last eight games.
Tampa Bay Lightning are not much better this month. The franchise boasts the same record this month as their opponents with three wins and five losses.
The Lightning are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference with 56 points and ended a two game losing streak on Thursday with a big 6-5 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks.
Capitals (29-23-5, 63pts)
Washington has struggled recently to beat Tampa Bay on the road. The Capitals have not won in the Tampa Bay Times forum since March 2011 losing all three recent games at the venue.
They will now look to end that run on Saturday taking advantage of a struggling Lightning defence that has allowed a mammoth 13 goals in its last three games.
Washington will enter the game on the back of a confidence boosting 2-1 win over Florida Panthers. The Capitals came from behind to win the game after trailing by one goal to the Panthers in the first and second periods.
Two third period goals by Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin completed the fight back and right wing Mike Knuble wants his teammates to concentrate on the results to move into playoff contention.
"We're encouraging guys to pay attention to the standings. We want to know what the deal is every night. The good thing is it's early enough that we can still play our way in there by winning some games."
Lightning (25-26-6, 56pts)
Tampa Bay Lightning’s defensive woes continued on Thursday as a big performance in offence helped them run out 6-5 winners over the San Jose Sharks in overtime.
However, the result should not be allowed to paper the gaping holes in the Lightning’s defence. They have now given away 13 goals to the opposition in their last three games and cannot always count on the offence to bail them out.
Right winger Martin St. Louis wants his teammates to build on the win over the Sharks and continue to push for the playoff spots.
The Lightning is eight points behind Toronto Maple Leafs but St. Louis is not ready to give up on the small chance just yet.
"If we throw in the towel because of what's going on around us, it's going to be a pretty miserable last two months. I think we have enough character here we can build on (the win over San Jose)."
Predictions
Washington will end its recent losing run at Tampa Bay.
A lot of goals can be expected in the game as the Lightning’s defensive struggles show no signs of ending just yet.
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