Washington is basking in the glow of overcoming their arch nemesis. For the first time in nine playoff series the Caps eliminated Pittsburgh. And they did it in just six games with the NHL Playoff lines. Washington clinched with an overtime win at Pittsburgh in game six. It was a fitting clutch performance. After all the Caps have long been labeled chokers. Now for the first time in the Alex Ovechkin era they are in the Eastern Conference Final. However, they will be facing top seed Tampa Bay. And Tampa’s best record in the East is no accident.
Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Eastern Conference Final
Date and Time: Friday, May 11, 2018, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, DC and Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
NHL Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capitals | +1½ (-185) | 6(-110) |  |
| Lightning | -1½ (+160) | 6 (-110) | |
| |||
Capitals vs. Lightning TV Coverage: Check Listings
Games one and two of this series are at Tampa Bay. Washington will host games three and four with the NHL playoff lines. If necessary game five will be back at Tampa Bay. Game six would be at Washington. And a final game seven would be at Amalie Arena. The winner of this series will face the Western Conference champion in the Stanley Cup Final.
It is hard to fathom the feeling the Caps have in getting past Pittsburgh. Washington lost eight consecutive playoff series against the Penguins. They began this year’s series with a sportsbook home loss in game one. But unlike past Capitals teams this one overcame adversity. Alex Ovechkin is also experiencing some vindication. Defeating Sidney Crosby’s team was a personal triumph. Crosby and Ovechkin broke into the NHL together. Crosby has three Stanley Cups and a stellar reputation. Ovechkin is in a desperate quest for his first Cup. And to repair his reputation for being a selfish player.
Tampa Bay has looked the part of a top seeded team so far. They eliminated the New Jersey Devils in a five-game opening round. Tampa repeated the trick with a five-game series win over highly regarded Boston. Regular season action saw the Lightning flourish as the NHL’s top scoring team. They have maintained their offensive excellence in post season. Right wing Nikita Kucherov leads their playoff efforts with six goals and six assists. And captain Seven Stamkos has three goals and seven assists with a plus three. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has a .927 save percentage in post season.
Washington has a strong head to head record with the NHL Playoff lines vs. Tampa. In the last 18 meetings the Caps have paid 13 times against the Lightning. Just five of the last 20 between these teams have gone under the total. At Amalie Arena the Capitals have won five of their last eight visits. 11 of the last 14 in this series at Tampa have gone over the total. At home Washington has beaten the Bolts in 10 of their last 12. Eight of the last 12 in this series at Capital One Arena went over the total.
Capitals vs. Lightning NHL Playoff Lines Picks
Washington has a look of a team of destiny. Overcoming Pittsburgh was as big as it gets. They will be a strong value against Tampa Bay.
NHL Betting Online Pick: Washington Capitals
NHL Betting Online Score Prediction: Capitals 4 games, Lightning 2 games
Watch the Caps clinch against the Penguins!