Tampa Bay Lightning - Washington Capitals predictions and free betting tips [23/02/2024]

The Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Washington Capitals in the battle for the Eastern Conference NHL playoffs.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning faces challenges in regaining form after losing eight out of ten matches, however, they managed to turn the tide by pulling off victories against the Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils. The successes in these matches, including a significant win against the Devils with a score of 6:3, emphasised the team's perseverance and determination in their home series where they registered a 1-2-0 record.

T.J. Oshie and Alex Ovechkin stand out among the Lightning, with Oshie reaching an impressive milestone of 300 career goals and Ovechkin extending his point streak to nine games, showcasing his high level of play. Despite a disappointing defeat against the Florida Panthers with a score of 9:2, coach Jon Cooper and the team exhibited their ability to rebound, underlining the importance of addressing game shortcomings.

Nikita Kucherov continues to demonstrate his key role in Tampa's success, tallying 20 points in the last 9 games and highlighting his respect for competitors such as Nathan MacKinnon of Colorado. Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point underline Kucherov's contribution, shunning personal motivation against MacKinnon and preferring to speak with their performance on the ice. With a 30-22-5 overall record, Tampa Bay continues their season venture, overcoming difficulties and showing their ability to bounce back after disappointments. Kucherov remains the team's leader, with Andre Vasilevskiy providing reliability at the back, helping the Lightning retain their chances of success this season.

Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals are beginning to find their stride after a series of setbacks, losing 8 out of 10 games, but then scoring victories over the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils with scores of 4:3 and 6:3 respectively. These victories on the road have been a crucial point in the playoff run, signifying the team's determination and perseverance. TJ Oshie, having reached a milestone of 300 career goals in the game against New Jersey, and Alex Ovechkin, extending his point streak to 9 games, were key figures in these achievements.

The team under the guidance of coach Spencer Carbery is facing challenges, but also demonstrating their ability to rebound. Ovechkin, in particular, used the All-Star break for a mental reset which had a positive impact on his game, as Carbery noted. The Capitals' star has scored six goals since January 27th, becoming the third player aged 38 or older to achieve such a streak.

Following the victories, the Capitals have improved their standing, although the deficit to the leaders is substantial. They currently sit in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division, trying to chase down the Philadelphia Flyers for the last guaranteed playoff spot. The loss of forward Nick Dowd and defenseman Martin Fehervary due to injuries pose additional challenges, but the recall of forward Pierre-Luc Dubois from the AHL affiliate could inject fresh energy into the line-up.

The Capitals demonstrate the capability to overcome obstacles, thanks to Ovechkin's leadership and the contribution of other key players. Their drive to sustain their winning streak and cement their place in the playoff zone remains undeterred by current trials.

Head-to-Head

Recent encounters between Washington and Tampa Bay have been marked by tense competition. In December 2023, Tampa Bay defeated Washington 2:1 in a shootout, displaying an equal level of gameplay. In March of that year, Tampa Bay dominated, pulling off a large-scale victory with a score of 5:1. November 2022 was also successful for Tampa Bay, where they won two consecutive games with scores of 6:3 and 5:1, demonstrating their superiority. However, in April 2022, Washington displayed their strength, pulling off victories with scores of 5:1 and 4:3, which underlines their ability to come back from defeats.

Prediction for the match Tampa Bay Lightning - Washington Capitals

Ovechkin is finally in his prime and proving he still has chances to catch the great Gretzky, and Washington suddenly has playoff chances. On the other hand, Tampa has been struggling recently, so I'd venture a bet on Capitals' plus handicap.