Game information/links
Game preview
The Washington Capitals are ready to get right back on the ice after a successful opening to their 2026-27 regular season.
After downing the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 on Friday night, the Capitals immediately flew further south to Tampa Bay, where they’ll meet another Eastern Conference juggernaut in the Lightning. The Lightning dropped their first game of the season 5-1 to the New York Rangers on Thursday and are hosting their Home Opener on Saturday night.
The game will be another chance for the new-look Capitals to make an early statement against one of the NHL’s top squads, and it will also be the first time they face franchise great John Carlson since he was traded at last year’s deadline. Carlson, who went to the Anaheim Ducks via trade last March, signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Lightning on the first day of free agency in July.
Puck drop against the Lightning is shortly after 7 pm. Follow along below for live updates, highlights, analysis, and all of our assorted observations from the game. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call on Monumental Sports Network. How to watch.
Must-read RMNB content
- Capitals players react to playing against John Carlson for the first time
- Alex Ovechkin played a career-low of ice time in the win over Carolina
- Alex Tuch had a fantastic, two-goal debut for the Capitals
- The Hershey Bears have named their new leadership group
- RMNB’s season primer if you missed it on Friday
- All of the numbers from Washington’s first win
- Here’s how to watch Capitals games without cable
Lines
Washington Capitals
Tampa Bay Lightning
Goaltending matchup
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped.
A little bit of a breakdown in Washington’s defensive zone, and Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous steps into a shot and beats Charlie Lindgren for an early marker.
1-0 Tampa Bay Lightning
Goal: Charle-Edouard D'Astous (1). Assists: B. Hagel (1), E. Lilleberg (1). Time: 2:25
Lindgren is a bit under siege to start the game as the Lightning have some early jump in their home opener.
Brandon Hagel walks Vincent Desharnais, but is stuffed by Lindgren at the front of the net.
Penalty kill
Justin Sourdif holding penalty at 8:35
Capitals kill off the Lightning power play after holding on for dear life. Tampa Bay is up 9-2 in shots on goal.
Nikita Kucherov rips off Alex Ovechkin but fires wide to Lindgren’s stick side.
Tampa Bay keeps up the pressure, and this time Conor Geekie finds paydirt, slamming home a one-timer off a pass from Hagel.
2-0 Tampa Bay Lightning
Goal: Conor Geekie (1). Assists: B. Hagel (2), J. Guentzel (1). Time: 16:30
Power play
Ryan McDonagh holding penalty at 18:02
Not much to talk about on the Capitals’ first power-play chance of the game. They’ll start the second period still up a man for two seconds.
At intermission: Pretty much the opposite of last night’s first period. The Lightning are crushing the Capitals, up 14-4 in shots on goal after 20 minutes.
2nd Period
Waiting for puck drop.
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