For the first time in the Alex Ovechkin era, the Washington Capitals will appear in an Eastern Conference Final game. The Capitals defeated the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight in Game 1 at Amalie Arena.
As of now Nicklas Backstrom is a game-time decision, and his absence would be a big hole in the lineup considering the strength Tampa has at center.
The Lightning dispatched the Boston Bruins in a mere five games after doing the same to the New Jersey Devils in the first round.