NHL Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING NOTES:

LAST GAME
Lightning 2 vs. Edmonton 3
After recording points in a season-best five consecutive games, the Tampa Bay Lightning fell to the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 at AMALIE Arena on Tuesday night…The five-game point streak was the longest of Tampa Bay’s season…The Bolts dropped to 3-2-1 on home ice this season…Tampa Bay surrendered a shorthanded goal for the third time in the last four games when Warren Foegele scored the first goal of the game while Edmonton was down a man 7:45 into the first period…Tampa Bay responded quickly with Brandon Hagel scoring his fifth goal of the season 2:08 after the game-opening goal…Connor McDavid gave Edmonton a 2-1 lead with a power-play goal 2:09 into the second period and Leon Draisaitl made it a two-goal lead for the Oilers with a power-play goal of his own just 1:58 later…Alex Killorn got the Bolts back within one with a quick goal 49 seconds into the final period, but Tampa Bay failed to even the score at three prior to the final horn…Andrei Vasilevskiy lost his first career home start to the Oilers, making 26 saves on 29 shots against…Philippe Myers returned to the lineup for the first time since Oct. 26 at ANA and logged 10:21 time on ice with one shot on goal and two hits.

PP: TBL – 0-5 EDM – 2-4
SOG: TBL – 37 EDM – 29
Attendance: 19,092

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP
The Lightning and the Capitals are playing the first of three matchups this season and the only meeting at Capital One Arena…The Lightning posted a 2-0-1 record against WSH last season…The Bolts are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games at WSH and 5-4-1 in their last 10 matchups overall…Steven Stamkos (1-2—3) led the Lightning in points against WSH last season and was tied with Victor Hedman (0-2—2) for the team lead in assists…Eight separate TBL skaters scored a goal against WSH last season…Tonight’s contest features the top two goal scorers in the NHL since Stamkos was drafted in 2008 (Alex Ovechkin – 625 goals, 1,044 GP; Stamkos – 488 goals, 935 GP)…The Bolts are 45-74-9 with six ties all-time against WSH, including a road record of 18-39-7 with four ties…Tampa Bay’s .392 points percentage against WSH all-time is their second-worst points percentage vs. a single franchise (worst: .386, BOS)…The Lightning’s first ever playoff series victory came against WSH in 2002-03…Martin St. Louis (29-50—79) holds the TBL franchise record for career points vs. WSH.

TBL ALL-TIME POINT LEADERS VS. WSH

1. Martin St. Louis – 79 pts. (29-50—79, 72 GP)
2. Vincent Lecavalier – 70 pts. (34-36—70, 77 GP)
3. Steven Stamkos – 36 pts. (17-19—36, 47 GP)
4. Brad Richards – 29 pts. (6-23—29, 43 GP)
5. Vinny Prospal – 28 pts. (9-19—28, 37 GP)

TONIGHT’S STORYLINES
Tampa Bay is playing the first game of a quick, one-game road trip…The Bolts and Caps will face off in two consecutive games with a contest at AMALIE Arena on Sunday…The Lightning are playing in just four road games in November after opening the season with seven of the first nine contests on the road…Tampa Bay is 4-3-0 on the road this season…The Bolts are 2-3-1 against Metropolitan Division opponents this year…Since the start of the 2018-19 season, the Lightning have posted a .650 points percentage (94-48-11) on the road, ranking second among all NHL teams (first: WSH, .654, 93-46-14).

INJURIES
2022-23 Regular Season Man Games Lost: 29

Current Injuries:
Zach Bogosian (Shoulder surgery; Out) 13 Games
Anthony Cirelli (Shoulder surgery; Out) 13 Games

TRANSACTIONS
Oct. 21 – Assigned F Gabriel Fortier to AHL Syracuse
Oct. 17 – Recalled D Nick Perbix from AHL Syracuse

GAME POINT
Lightning forward Brayden Point recorded his sixth multi-point game of the season (0-2—2) Nov. 8 vs. EDM…Point has posted a multi-point effort in two straight games and four of his last five contests…Point is riding a season-long, five-game point streak (2-7—9)…Point is the fifth TBL skater to record a five-game point streak this season (also: Hedman, Kucherov, Paul, Stamkos)…Point (6-9—15) ranks second among all TBL skaters in points, assists and goals (tied, Kucherov)…Point’s four power-play points are tied with Mikhail Sergachev for the third-most among TBL skaters…Point has picked up a point in four of his last six games against WSH (3-2—5).

KLUTCHEROV
Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov picked up one assist Nov. 8 vs. EDM to extend his point streak to 11 games (6- 14—20)…Kucherov’s 11-game point streak is tied for the longest in the NHL this season (also: Bratt, NJD, 11 games)…Kucherov has recorded six career 10-game point streaks, trailing only Sidney Crosby (10x), Patrick Kane (7x) and Connor McDavid (7x) among active players…Kucherov recorded the 20th four-point game of his NHL career Nov. 5 vs. BUF and passed Steven Stamkos (19) for the most four-point games in TBL franchise history…Kucherov is the only TBL skater to record a 10-game point streak this season…Kucherov (6-15—21) leads all TBL skaters in points and assists and ranks tied for first in power-play points (8) and tied for second in goals (6)…Kucherov ranks tied for fourth in the NHL in points and tied for fifth in assists…Kucherov has registered a point in 12 of Tampa Bay’s 13 games this season…Kucherov has recorded a point in 14 of his last 15 games against WSH (11-9—20)…Going back to the end of the 2021-22 season, Kucherov has recorded at least one point in 28 of his last 31 regular season contests and has picked up 56 points (20-36—56) during that span…Since the start of the 2016-17 season, only McDavid (1.49 P/GP) has recorded a higher point-per-game average than Kucherov’s 1.34.

NHL P/GP LEADERS SINCE 2016-17

1. Connor McDavid – 1.49 P/GP (238-442-680, 457 GP)
2. Nikita Kucherov – 1.34 P/GP (184-304—488, 364 GP)
3. Leon Draisaitl – 1.26 P/GP (242-341—583, 464 GP)
4. Brad Marchand – 1.21 P/GP (202-312—514, 426 GP)

HEATING UP WITH HAGES
Bolts forward Brandon Hagel scored a goal for the second-straight game Nov. 8 vs. EDM and extended his point streak to three games (2-3—5)…Hagel has recorded a point in seven of his last eight games (5-6—11)…Hagel (5-6—11) ranks fourth among TBL skaters in goals and points and is tied for fifth in assists.

LEADING THE WAY
Tampa Bay’s top line of Brandon Hagel, Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point have combined for 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points over the last eight games…During the month of November, Kucherov (3-6—9), Point (2-5—7) and Hagel (2-3—5) rank first, second and third in points among TBL skaters, respectively.

PERBIX: WHERE SCORING IS A PLEASURE
Bolts defenseman Nick Perbix recorded his second career assist Nov. 8 vs. EDM…Perbix has recorded points in two straight games for the first time in his career…Perbix scored his first career NHL goal, which was also the game-winning goal, Nov. 5 vs. BUF…Perbix became the 15th player in TBL franchise history whose first career goal was also a game-winning goal…Perbix recorded his first career NHL point with an assist Oct. 26 at ANA.

GOING FOR THE KILL
Lightning forward Alex Killorn scored his fourth goal of the season Nov. 8 vs. EDM…Killorn has points in four of his last five games with goals in three of the five (3-2—5)…Killorn’s four goals are tied for fifth among TBL skaters (also: Paul, 4-4—8)…Killorn’s 736 games with TBL are the fifth-most in franchise history.

TBL ALL-TIME GAMES PLAYED LEADERS

1. Vincent Lecavalier – 1,037 GP
2. Martin St. Louis – 972 GP
3. Steven Stamkos – 935 GP
4. Victor Hedman – 909 GP
5. Alex Killorn – 736 GP

MR. 600
Tampa Bay forward Pierre-Edouard Bellemare skated in his 600th career game Nov. 8 vs. EDM…Bellemare joined Antoine Roussel (607 GP) as the only players born in France to skate in 600 career NHL games.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS NOTES:

LAST GAME
Washington 1, Pittsburgh Penguins 4
November 9, 2022 * Capital One Arena * Washington, D.C.
Shots: WSH: 25; PIT: 28
Power Plays: WSH: 0/4; PIT: 0/3
Three Stars: 1. McGinn (PIT), 2. DeSmith (PIT), 3. Johansson (WSH)

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Loaned defenseman Lucas Johansen to AHL Hershey and activated defenseman Alex Alexeyev from injured non-roster list, 11/9
Claimed forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel off waivers from Toronto and loaned forward Garrett Pilon to AHL Hershey, 11/5
Recalled forwards Sonny Milano and Garrett Pilon and defenseman Lucas Johansen from AHL Hershey, 11/2

INJURIES/ILLNESSES
Nicklas Backstrom: 10/12-11/9 (15 games)
Carl Hagelin: 10/12-11/9 (15 games)
Tom Wilson: 10/12-11/9 (15 games)
Connor Brown: 10/20/22-11/9/22 (11 games)
T.J. Oshie: 10/31/22-11/9/22 (6 games)
John Carlson: 10/31/22-11/9/22 (6 games)
Beck Malenstyn: 11/3/22-11/9/22 (4 games)
Dmitry Orlov: 11/7/22-11/9/22 (2 games)
Man Games Lost: 74

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Nov. 13, 7 p.m. ET at Tampa Bay (ESPN, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Nov. 15, 7 p.m. ET at Florida (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Nov. 17, 8 p.m. ET at St. Louis (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Nov. 19, 7 p.m. ET vs. Colorado (NBCSW, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)
Nov. 23, 7:30 p.m. ET vs. Philadelphia (TNT, 106.7 The Fan/Caps Radio 24/7)

TONIGHT’S GAME
The Capitals conclude their season-long four-game homestand on Friday when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Capital One Arena for the first of three meetings between the teams this season. The Capitals have a record of 83-34-6-11 all-time vs. Tampa Bay and are 18-5-5 in their last 28 games against the Lightning, dating back to the 2012-13 season. In addition, the Capitals have earned points in five-straight home games vs. Tampa Bay (3-0-2). The Capitals will complete a home-and-home set with Tampa Bay on Sunday when they visit the Lightning at Amalie Arena. Alex Ovechkin has recorded 94 points (50g, 44a) in 75 career games vs. Tampa Bay. Ovechkin ranks first all-time in career goals and points against the Lightning.

HOME vs. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Record Goals For Goals Against Streak
46-12-4-6 247 171 1 WSH win (4/6/22)

CAPITALS vs. LIGHTNING ALL-TIME (CAREER TOTALS)
Games Goals Assists Points
Ovechkin (75) Ovechkin (50) Backstrom (49) Ovechkin (94)
Backstrom (53) Oshie (16) Ovechkin (44) Backstrom (63)
Carlson (42) Eller (14) Carlson (22) Oshie (34)

TOP CAPS FACTS
Penalty Skill

• The Capitals have killed off eight straight opposing power plays, including all three of Pittsburgh’s power play opportunities on Wednesday.
• The Capitals have killed off 28 of 31 power plays (90.3 percent) over their last 10 games, dating back to Oct. 22. During that span, Washington’s 90.3 penalty kill percentage ranks second in the NHL.
• Through 15 games this season, Washington’s 82.2 penalty kill percentage ranks 10th in the NHL, through games played Nov. 9.

Power Up

• The Capitals have scored a power-play goal in four of their last six games (seven goals on 22 opportunities for a 31.8 power-play percentage) and their 25.0 power-play percentage through 15 games this season ranks tied for ninth in the NHL, through games played Nov. 9.
• On Monday against Edmonton, the Capitals went 4-for-5 on the power play.
• Washington’s four power-play goals tied for the fourth most in a single game in franchise history and it marked the first time the Capitals scored four power-play goals in a game since Oct. 3, 2018 vs. Boston.

Bounce Back

• Since the start of the 2020-21 season, the Capitals are 28-15-3 in games following a regulation loss. This season, Washington is 4-2-0 following a regulation loss.

Ovi vs. Time

• Alex Ovechkin’s three-game goal streak (3g) and six-game point streak (5g, 2a) came to an end on Wednesday. Ovechkin (37 years, 55 days as of Nov. 9) is the oldest player this season to record a point streak of at least that length (courtesy of NHL Stats).
• Through games played Nov. 9, Ovechkin’s eight goals rank tied for 10th in the NHL. The average age of the 18 players with at least eight goals this season is 26.8, with Ovechkin being the only player over the age of 33.

Who’s Next?

• Alex Ovechkin’s goal on Monday against Edmonton marked his first career goal against Stuart Skinner, the 163rd different goaltender Ovechkin has scored on in his career.
• Ovechkin’s 163 goaltenders scored on ranks fourth in NHL history, trailing only Jaromir Jagr (178), Patrick Marleau (177) and Mark Messier (164). Among these players, Marleau ranks first in NHL history in games played, Messier third and Jagr fourth. Ovechkin ranks tied for 71st.

Player Number of Goaltenders Scored On Games Played
Jaromir Jagr 178 1,733
Patrick Marleau 177 1,779
Mark Messier 164 1,756
Alex Ovechkin 163 1,289

• Ovechkin has scored 11 goals in 14 career games against Andrei Vasilevskiy and 11 goals in 22 career games against Brian Elliott.

Gem-sen

• Nick Jensen recorded an assist on Wednesday against Pittsburgh, marking his 99th career point (14g, 85a).
• Jensen, the 53rd defenseman taken in the 2009 NHL Draft (150th overall), ranks 16th among defensemen in his draft class in games played (422) and points (99).
• Jensen’s eight points (1g, 7a) in 15 games this season leads Capitals defensemen and ranks fourth on the team.
• Jensen leads the Capitals in shorthanded ice time per game (2:53) and ranks second on the team in total ice time per game (21:21). In addition, Jensen’s 43:21 of shorthanded ice time ranks 14th in the NHL.
• Through 15 games, Jensen has recorded a 61.90 goals for percentage at five-on-five (13 goals for, eight against), which ranks third in the NHL among defensemen with at least 250 minutes of ice time at five-on-five (courtesy of Natural Stat Trick).

Kuemper’s Crease

• Over his last six starts, Darcy Kuemper has posted a 2.01 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage with one shutout.
• Among goaltenders with at least 10 games played this season, Kuemper ranks fourth in the NHL in save percentage (.916) and fifth in goals-against average (2.47).
• Since 2017-18, Kuemper ranks first in the NHL in save percentage (.921) and second in goals-against average (2.43) (min. 150 GP).
• Kuemper, who won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche last season, posted a 4-2 record with a 2.45 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage and one shutout in the Final against Tampa Bay.
• In seven career regular season games against the Lightning, Kuemper has a record of 4-2-0 with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.

Marty Party

• Martin Fehervary (2nd round, 46th overall) played in his 100th career game on Wednesday against Pittsburgh, becoming the fourth player from the 2018 NHL Draft not chosen in first round to reach the milestone, joining Alexander Romanov (2nd round, 38th overall), Yegor Sharangovich (5th round, 141st overall) and Philipp Kurashev (4th round, 120th overall) (courtesy of NHL Stats).
• Fehervary ranks second on the Capitals in hits (53) and fourth in time on ice per game (20:35) this season.
• Fehervary has been on the ice for 11 of Washington’s 26 goals for at five-on-five this season, which is tied for the second most of any Capitals skater.

Bright and Sonny

• Sonny Milano recorded an assist in his 200th career game on Wednesday against Pittsburgh, marking his first point as a Capital.
• Per Natural Stat Trick, Milano has generated seven individual scoring chances at five-on-five over Washington’s last three games, which ranks tied for second on the team (Alex Ovechkin: 10; Dylan Strome: 7; Marcus Johansson: 7).

Goal 787

• Alex Ovechkin scored his 787th career goal on Saturday against Arizona, passing Gordie Howe for the most goals scored by a player with a single franchise (Howe: 786 goals in 1,687 games played with Detroit).
• Ovechkin, who scored his 787th goal in his 1,287th career game with Washington, eclipsed Howe’s mark in 400 fewer games. – The Capitals selected Ovechkin with the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft. Since entering the NHL in 2005-06, Ovechkin has played in 1,289 of the Capitals’ 1,336 games (96.5 percent).
• Ovechkin is the Capitals’ franchise leader in games played (1,289), goals (788), points (1,423), playoff games played (147), playoff goals (72) and playoff points (141).
• Ovechkin ranks first in NHL history in power play goals (290) and overtime goals (24), second in game-winning goals (122), road goals (400) and multi-goal games (159), and fourth in even strength goals (493).

Strome At Home

• Dylan Strome recorded three points (2g, 1a) on Monday against Edmonton, marking his fourth multi-point game in 14 games this season, which is the most on the Capitals.
• Strome has recorded 12 points (4g, 8a) in 15 games this season. Strome ranks second on Washington in points, assists and powerplay points (2g-5a-7p).
• Through 15 games, Strome is averaging 17:45 of ice time, which ranks third among Capitals forwards (Alex Ovechkin: 20:23; Evgeny Kuznetsov: 18:32). Prior to the start of this season, Strome had averaged 16:02 of ice time per game in his career.

Did You Know?

• Washington’s 433 hits this season are the most in the NHL, through games played Nov. 9.
• Capitals defensemen have combined for 30 points (4g, 26a) this season, which is tied for the eighth-highest total in the NHL, through games played Nov. 9.
• Over their last five games, the Capitals have won 55.8 percent of faceoffs