This game does have playoff implications.
The Caps are all of three points behind the Florida Panthers for the Southeast Division crown, and a scant two points in front of the Buffalo Sabres for the final playoff spot in the East. Beating Tampa Bay puts Washington controls it's own destiny for the division title- they play Florida head-to-head later in the week.
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Tomas Vokoun is out of action for the Caps and possibly done for the season with a groin injury. This puts their playoff hopes in the hands of Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby. That's not exactly a bad tandem. Young? Yes. But a capable tandem that Caps management didn't quite have faith in. Vokoun was supposed to be the final piece in net when he was signed for next-to-nothing in the summer of 2011. While Vokoun had been formidable in net (2.51 GAA, .917 save percentage), he wasn't propelling the Capitals to new heights.
Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson is 8-6-5 with a 2.30 goals-against average in 19 career starts against the Capitals. ? C Steven Stamkos has six goals (eight points) in the past five games. ? Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin has 28 goals in 46 career games against the Lightning, his second-highest total against an opponent. ? Forward Trevor Smith was re-assigned to AHL Norfolk.
The Caps are all of three points behind the Florida Panthers for the Southeast Division crown, and a scant two points in front of the Buffalo Sabres for the final playoff spot in the East. Beating Tampa Bay puts Washington controls it's own destiny for the division title- they play Florida head-to-head later in the week.
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Tomas Vokoun is out of action for the Caps and possibly done for the season with a groin injury. This puts their playoff hopes in the hands of Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby. That's not exactly a bad tandem. Young? Yes. But a capable tandem that Caps management didn't quite have faith in. Vokoun was supposed to be the final piece in net when he was signed for next-to-nothing in the summer of 2011. While Vokoun had been formidable in net (2.51 GAA, .917 save percentage), he wasn't propelling the Capitals to new heights.
Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson is 8-6-5 with a 2.30 goals-against average in 19 career starts against the Capitals. ? C Steven Stamkos has six goals (eight points) in the past five games. ? Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin has 28 goals in 46 career games against the Lightning, his second-highest total against an opponent. ? Forward Trevor Smith was re-assigned to AHL Norfolk.
