Nov. 1 at Tampa Bay Lightning
The Caps short two game homestand ends on Friday as well as a run of six home games in the month of October. This is a rematch from the second game of the season, one in which the Tampa Bay Lightning won 2-1 in overtime thanks to Steven Stamkos.
The back to back defending Stanley Cup champions have gotten off to a bit of a slow start as their record as of this writing is 4-3-1, good for fourth place in the Atlantic Division. Despite the slow start, the Bolts have been good of late having won two in a row.
Three players have lower body injuries which includes Gemel Smith (out the first two weeks), Zach Bogosian (out 4-6 weeks) and the biggest blow Nikita Kucherov (out 8-10 weeks).
The Lightning are actually coming off a 5-1 win over the Coyotes. Alex Killorn scored twice while Steven Stamkos struck on the power play. Alex Barre-Boulet made it 3-0. Lawson Crouse scored for the Coyotes and Andrej Sustr put it away for the Bolts.
The Lightning also beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1. They’re off for the full weekend before they host the Capitals. The Lightning and Caps are always an entreating matchup and the Caps hope to dethrone the back to back Stanley Cup champs.