Now that the Washington Capitals have conquered the Pittsburgh Penguins, they have the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning waiting for them in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Lightning finished with a 54-23-5 record for 113 points. They are led by forwards Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos, who are each dangerous with the puck. They have beaten the New Jersey Devils and the Boston Bruins to advance.
The NHL has yet to announce a time for the series, but here’s a quick glance at the Lightning:
Regular season meetings between Tampa and Washington:
Oct. 9: Capitals lose 4-3 on the road
Nov. 24: Capitals wins 3-1 at home
Feb. 20: Tampa wins 4-2 at Capital One Arena
Lightning take series 2-1
Stat leaders:
Points: Kucherov (100), Stamkos (86), Brayden Point (66)
Goals: Kucherov (39), Point (32), Stamkos (27)
Assists: Kucherov (61), Stamkos (59), Victor Hedman (46)
Team stats:
Goals per game: 3.54, ranked 1st in the NHL
Goals against per game: 2.85, ranked 13th in NHL
Power play: 23.9 percent, ranked 3rd in NHL
Penalty kill: 76.1 percent, ranked 28th in NHL
The Capitals meanwhile ranked ninth (3.12) in goals, 16th in goals against (2.90), seventh on the power play (22.5 percent) and 15th on the penalty kill (80.3 percent) during the regular season.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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