A two-game losing skid takes the Tampa Bay Lightning (5th in Atlantic Division) to the second contest of their home-and-home series against the Washington Capitals (6th in Metropolitan), who have won two of their previous three matchups.
The Washington Capitals (7-7-2) ended their latest four-game homestand with a 2-2-0 total after starting their home-and-home series against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 5-1 victory at Capital One Arena on Friday. Sonny Milano (2 goals, 4 points this year), who signed a one-year, $750k contract with the Caps on Oct. 15, tallied twice and tacked on an assist, as Washington buried all its markers at even-strength. John Carlson (2 goals, 7 points), meanwhile, assisted for his 600th NHL point, becoming the first Capitals defenseman in history to reach the milestone.
Goalie Darcy Kuemper turned aside 28 shots on Friday and has now gone 5-6-1 for the ongoing campaign with a 2.35 GAA and a .920 save percentage. He has recorded a 4-2-0 career tally against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 2.33 GAA and a .920 save percentage. The Capitals, m eanwhile, are scoring the 11th lowest number of goals per game this season (2.88), while giving up the 12th lowest amount on the defensive end (2.88). They are 15th in power play with a 22.4% success rate (13-for-58) and 6th in penalty kill with 83.3% efficiency (40-for-48).