The top-seeded Washington Capitals welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight, Friday April 29th, for the opener of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-finals at the Verizon Center. The Capitals lead the Lightning 7-3 SU in their last ten meetings. NHL oddsmakers have the Capitals as -180 moneyline home favorites over the Lightning (+160) with the over/under listed at 5.5 goals. Be sure to check the Lightning vs Capitals NHL Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
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ampa Bay (4-3, 3-1 V) came back from a three-games-to-one deficit to defeat Pittsburgh in the first round, marking the club's first playoff series victory since beating Calgary in seven games for the Stanley Cup in '04. It was also the first time the Bolts have ever come back from down 3-1 to win a series. The Lightning's strength lies in its top forwards, as the club boasts the likes of Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier up front. However, Tampa also received solid production from lesser-known forwards in Round 1, including Sean Bergenheim, who had three goals against the Pens. Steve Downie was also tremendous with one goal and six assists and even sat out one game in the series due to a suspension. St. Louis was Tampa's most dominant player in the opening round, as he recorded four goals and four assists in the series. The 35-year-old is one of three finalists for the Hart Trophy this year after leading Tampa Bay with 99 points (31g, 68a). However, the Lightning are still expecting more from Stamkos, as the 21-year- old continued his late-season swoon in the opening round. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2008 draft finished the year with 45 goals and 91 points, but he had just two goals and five points over the last 12 games of the regular season. Stamkos had two goals and an assist in an 8-2 blowout victory over the Pens in Game 5 of the conference quarterfinals, but he had just one assist in the other six tests of his first-ever NHL playoff series. Veteran goaltender Dwayne Roloson proved his worth in Round 1. Roloson recorded a 1.77 GAA and a stellar .949 save percentage against the Pens, stopping 243 of the 256 shots sent his way in the first round.
Washington (4-1, 3-0 H) has won the last four Southeast Division titles, turned in one of its shortest postseason series in quite some time in the opening round, ousting the New York Rangers in five games. The Caps posted a 4-1-1 record against the Bolts in the 2010-11 season series. The Caps have seemed to buy into head coach Bruce Boudreau's new system and have played a tighter all-around defensive game. The improved strategy helped Washington hold onto leads down the stretch and in the opening round of the playoffs. Washington held the Rangers to eight goals over five games, but the Caps' defensive prowess should face a stiffer test this round against the superior offensive attack of the Lightning. Boudreau's club did hold Tampa Bay to 10 goals in six meetings during the regular season. "They've got more game-breakers for sure than the Rangers have," Boudreau told his team's web site of the Lightning. Despite the increased attention to team defense, Washington is still very much a team that revolves around it's star player, Alex Ovechkin. The Russian sniper had a strong first series, posting three goals and three assists over the five meetings with the Rangers. Ovechkin's countryman Alexander Semin also had three goals and an assist against the Rangers. He had entered the series with the Rangers on a 14-game playoff scoring drought, but ended that slump with a tally in Game 1. Semin was an absolute force in the season series against Tampa, recording a pair of hat tricks and nine points (7 goals, 2 assists) in four games. Ovechkin added two goals and eight assists in six games versus the Lightning this season. The Caps are hoping to get Mike Knuble back in this series, but the veteran forward missed the last two games against the Rangers with an injured right hand and will likely sit out Game 1. Knuble, 38, is a physical presence in front of the net and was third on Washington with 24 goals in the regular season.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Favorite is 15-5 in the last 20 meetings.
Lightning are 6-20 in the last 26 meetings.
Lightning are 2-9 in the last 11 meetings in Washington.
Lightning are 4-0 in their last 4 Conference Semifinals games.
Lightning are 4-1 in their last 5 games as an underdog.
Lightning are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
Lightning are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
Capitals are 4-0 in their last 4 games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Capitals are 7-1 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
Capitals are 6-1 in their last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Capitals are 5-1 in their last 6 playoff games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
Lightning vs Capitals
When: Friday, April 29, 7:05 PM ET
Pick: Capitals -180
Point-Spreads.com recommends you check out NHL Point Spreads Lightning vs Capitals game.
The Bottom Line: I think the Lightning have more players who can produce and a hotter goalie. Be sure to check Lightning vs Capitals Hockey Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
