Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) during the second period of the fifth game of the NHL Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Final between the Washington Capitals and the Tampa Bay Lightning on May 19, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL.

Lightning-Capitals Game 6 Preview: Win or Go Home Time for Washington

When the Washington Capitals finally knocked off the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the 2018 playoffs, many people thought the Caps were finally Stanley Cup bound after years of underperforming in the postseason. After topping Tampa Bay twice in Florida, the Capitals have lost three straight and now find themselves on the verge of elimination ahead of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final in D.C.

Sportsbook opened the Caps as -124 home favorites with a total of six.

SHARK BITES
  • Tampa Bay is 5-0 ATS in its last five games on the road.
  • Tampa Bay is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games vs Washington.
  • Washington is 2-4 SU in its last six games vs Tampa Bay.

The good news for Caps bettors is the squad has already faced some adversity in the first round after going down 0-2 to the Columbus Blue Jackets before rattling off four straight triumphs, however the Lightning are a much different beast compared to the Blue Jackets. Washington battled back after falling behind 3-0 in Game 5 and outshot Tampa Bay 26-9 in the final 40 minutes but it wasn’t enough. Washington trailed in the Sportsbook 20 minutes in both Game 3 and 4 at home before giving up a goal in the first minute of Game 5, so another poor start could be the difference between Washington heading to the Cup Final and going home.

Tampa Bay is on the verge of its third trip to the Stanley Cup Final and second in four years thanks to some excellent play by goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Russian has turned aside 100 of the 106 shots he has faced in Tampa’s three straight victories to improve to 11-4 SU in the playoffs. The Lightning’s fourth line of Ryan Callahan, Cedric Paquette and Chris Kunitz have played a major part in Tampa’s turnaround, as the trio has limited Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin while contriving two goals and two assists in Game 5.

Road teams have been dominating this series, evidenced by home squads going 1-4 SU in the Eastern Conference final. The Lightning have done a great job of stringing together wins lately, as Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its past six after winning its previous game.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

If you're backing the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning in this one, they Lightning listed earlier today as of -10000 at most sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. Those over/under total betting saw the number open in the area of 9.5, depending on the book.

A 2.7-2.6 result in favor of the Lightning is the prediction by the Odds Shark handicapping pick engine. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Washington Capitals Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Tampa Bay Lightning will try to spoil to the party on Monday; they are 65-27-5 this season, while the Capitals are 59-31-9. Tampa Bay is 55-36-6 on the totals; Washington is 53-41-5. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Washington vs Tampa Bay injuries news.

The Odds Shark NHL Power Rankings have the Washington Capitals at No. 7 and the Tampa Bay Lightning at No. 10 heading into this contest.

Statistical Matchup

The game also pits Washington's No. 9-ranked offense, averaging 3.21 goals per game, against a Lightning defense that ranks No. 11 at 2.86 goals allowed. The Capitals power play is averaging 23.75% while the Lightning defense kills off 75.96% of their penalties.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

 

Betting Trends
  • Tampa Bay is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
  • Tampa Bay is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
  • Tampa Bay is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
  • Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
  • Washington is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
  • Washington is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
  • Washington is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games at home
  • Washington is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Tampa Bay

Next Betting Matchups

Tampa Bay home to Washington, Wednesday, May 23rd

Tampa Bay is 5-0 ATS in its last five games on the road.away Tampa Bay is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games vs Washington. Washington is 2-4 SU in its last six games vs Tampa Bay.
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