This game mirrored several others the Lightning already have played this year. Games in which the Bolts have held the opposition to two or fewer goals, outshot the other team, but failed to score enough goals to win. Again in this game, the Lightning managed only one goal, thanks in large part to the play of the opposition goaltender. Braden Holtby made 35 saves, including 14 in the third period.
In addition to that storyline, however, is another one. The Washington Capitals are regarded by many as the best team currently in the Eastern Conference. Entering this game, they ranked in the top five in the following categories: goals for/game, goals against/game, shots for/game, shots against/game and power play percentage.