Venue & Game Details
Location: Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN, Bally Sports Sun, Monumental Sports Network
Setting: Washington’s first marquee divisional home game of the season
Team Recent Form
Tampa Bay Lightning: Snapped an 0-2 start with a 4-3 road win over Boston. Anthony Cirelli scored twice, and Jonas Johansson made 30 saves. Still, Tampa has allowed 13 goals in 3 games, raising concerns about defensive depth.
Washington Capitals: Riding a two-game win streak, including a 1-0 shutout of the Rangers behind Charlie Lindgren’s 35 saves. The Caps have allowed just 2 goals in their last two games, leaning on defense and goaltending.
Recent Form (last 5 games):
Tampa Bay: W–L–L–L–W
Washington: W–W–L–W–L
Injury Report
Tampa Bay: Andrei Vasilevskiy expected to start after a shaky opener (4.67 GAA). No major skater injuries reported.
Washington: Healthy roster; Lindgren and Logan Thompson both available in net.
Key Player Matchups
Forwards:
Anthony Cirelli (TBL) – 2 goals vs. Boston, tone-setter for Lightning’s top six.
Jake Guentzel (TBL) – playmaker with 3 assists in 3 games.
Alexander Ovechkin (WSH) – 44 goals last season, still the Caps’ primary weapon.
Aliaksei Protas (WSH) – 2 goals, 1 assist in 3 games, early breakout candidate.
Defense:
Victor Hedman (TBL) – anchors Tampa’s blue line, but unit has struggled.
Jakob Chychrun (WSH) – 3 assists already, stabilizing Washington’s back end.
Goaltending:
Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) – elite pedigree, but needs a bounce-back.
Charlie Lindgren (WSH) – .971 SV% in last two starts, red-hot form.
Series History
Tampa Bay leads the all-time series 70-52-11.
The teams split last season’s meetings 2-2.
Washington has won 3 of the last 5 matchups at Capital One Arena.
Betting Trends
Tampa Bay is 0-3 on the puck line this season.
All 3 Lightning games have gone Over 5.5 goals.
Washington is 1-2 on the puck line, with 2 of 3 games going Under.
Caps have allowed just 2.3 goals per game so far.
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Lightning 5.5
Washington Capitals – 112
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, October 13, 2025
