The Washington Capitals are in a spot they haven’t been in since 1998, the Eastern Conference Finals. Tonight they will travel to Amalie Arena to kick off Game 1 against arguably the best team in hockey, the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning made short work of the New Jersey Devils and the Boston Bruins so the extra rest will definitely be an asset. The Capitals are coming off a tough series with their hated rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and could be without André Burakovski (upper body) and Nicklas Backstrom (hand). Tampa is in familiar territory, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals 3 of the last 4 years and the host team between these two clubs is 20-7 in the last 27 meetings. Amalie Arena will be rocking tonight. Edge Lightning.
TONIGHT’S PICK: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING