Tampa Bay at Washington

A month ago, the Lightning were 1-6 in their first seven games this season. That seems like a long time ago, as since then Tampa Bay is 10-3. This marks the fifth time the Lightning is an underdog after turning their season around. Tampa Bay is 3-1 in those games. The Lightning have held the Oilers, Jets, and Panthers to one goal apiece in three of their last four games. Star goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy was in net for all three of those games. He is projected to be in goal today. The Lightning received a boost in their 2-1 victory against the Oilers two days ago, with Nick Paul making his season debut after recovering from offseason wrist surgery. Paul had a goal in the game. The Capitals have won three in a row, but their defense has slipped. Washington is giving up an average of 3.6 goals a game in its last five games. The Capitals rank third defensively, but they were No. 1. Take the Lightning.