Tampa Bay Lightning v Washington Capitals Live

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After struggling earlier this month, Tampa evidently pulled its act together as the team around Steven Stamkos managed to secure four consecutive wins last week. Thus, the Tampa Bay Lightning are confident to extend their winning streak when they meet Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Friday at 10 p.m. GMT.

Albeit the Caps remain one of the most dangerous teams at the offensive end of the ice, Alex Ovechkin and company slowed down considerably as they dropped three straight versus the Trashers, Flyers and Devils. Likewise, Washington’s defensive efforts have been less than stellar as they allowed their opponents to score nearly three goals per game in the first two months of regular season play. Ultimately, the franchise from D.C. will have to improve as a team opposed to relying solely on the offensive productivity of Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin night in and night out. Therefore, Washington will most likely have to play up to its full potential to overcome the Lightning on Friday night.

You can watch all games of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals right here on www.watchlivenhl.com, the home of NHL live streaming.

Posted: 12th November 2010

Considering Tampa's performance in recent years, the Lightning' front-office is certainly content that coach Rick Tocchet's squad is still in the playoff race. Yet, the Lightning are about face a very difficult challenge when they make their way to D.C. to take on Alex Ovechkin and the high-scoring Washington Capitals at Verizon Center on Saturday at midnight GMT.

Even though the Caps did not get off to a particularly good start in this year's NHL campaign, the franchise from D.C. managed to make it to the top of the Eastern Conference down the stretch. Posting an impressive 44-13-8 record, Nicklas Backstrom and company are holding on to a comfortable 12-point lead over the second placed Pittsburgh Penguins. Most importantly, the Capitals' high-scoring offense steamrolled whatever came its way as the team around Alex Ovechkin went on to score no less than 257 goals in just 65 games. Moreover, franchise centerpiece Ovechkin leads the entire league in scoring and recorded 42 goals in 90 points in just 57 appearances.

In contrast, Tampa is less concerned with winning a championship than simply making it to the post-season. Right now, the Lightning are trailing the eight placed Boston Bruins by four points. Thus, the franchise from Southern Florida is still hoping to make a run in the remaining six weeks of action. Especially at the defensive end of the ice Tampa demonstrated significant shortcomings at times and might have to bring a more consistent effort to avoid another year in the draft lottery. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether Martin St Louis and the Lightning will be able to contain the dynamic offense of the Caps. After all, Washington averages nearly four goals per contest and will most likely be too much to handle for Tampa Bay.

You can watch all games of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals right here on www.watchlivenhl.com, the home of NHL live streaming.