Overview

• Puck drop is 7:00 PM ET at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., with national TV coverage on ESPN and Tampa Bay priced around +110.
• The Lightning halted a two-game skid with a 4–3 win in Boston, featuring two goals from Anthony Cirelli and a 5-for-5 penalty kill.
• A recent line shuffle buoyed Tampa Bay’s five-on-five play, with the Bjorkstrand–Gourde–Holmberg trio driving depth minutes against the Bruins.
• Washington enters 2-1-0 after road wins at the Islanders and Rangers, highlighted by Charlie Lindgren’s 35-save shutout; Logan Thompson owns a .929 save percentage.
• Underlying numbers flag possible regression for the Caps’ defense (0.41 GA/60 vs. 2.39 expected GA/60), and special teams remain a concern with an 0-for-8 power play and three goals allowed on seven penalty kills, an area Tampa’s power play (2-for-8) could target.