Washington at Tampa Bay

Washington got the Pittsburgh monkey off its back, knocking off the defending champs the last series. Things get even tougher now, heading out on the road to face a super-talented and rested Tampa Bay team for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Tampa Bay has 18 players that have combined for 273 conference final games and the Capitals total is just 28. Washington has taken a step back defensively from last year after losing some key players in the offseason, ranked #16 in goals allowed, and #15 in penalty killing. Center Nicklas Backstrom is still day-to-day with an upper-body injury, along with forward Andre Burakovsky, who has missed the last 10 games. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is tops in the league in goals scored, third on the power play, and #13 in goals allowed. The Lightning are 40-19 when playing on three or more days of rest, plus 44-21 against the Eastern Conference. Tampa Bay has reached the conference final three times in the last four seasons and is on a 38-14 run at home. With the home team 20-7 when these teams clash, back home ice in Game 1. Play Tampa Bay.