The big picture

Tampa Bay Lightning come in 8th on the ladder; Washington Capitals are 13th. Tampa Bay Lightning have the higher position to protect.

Tampa Bay Lightning are 10–5 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 3.7 goals for and 3.1 against.

Washington Capitals are 8–6 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 3.5 goals for and 3.4 against.

Form

Tampa Bay Lightning have won three of their last five and most recently beat Chicago Blackhawks 4–1.

Washington Capitals have won three of their last five and most recently lost to Dallas Stars 5–6.

Head to head

These sides have met 71 times on our records since 2009: Tampa Bay Lightning 33, Washington Capitals 38.

Last time out (2026-27), Tampa Bay Lightning won 3–1 at Benchmark International Arena.

Tampa Bay Lightning have won the last three against Washington Capitals.

Biggest margin between these two: Washington Capitals by 6 goals in 2010-11 (6–0).

Players to watch

For Tampa Bay Lightning, watch Jake Guentzel (0.5 goals a game, 7 assists in 2026-27) and Brandon Hagel (0.5 goals a game, 9 assists in 2026-27).

For Washington Capitals, watch Alex Tuch (0.6 goals a game, 2 assists in 2026-27) and Jordan Kyrou (0.4 goals a game, 10 assists in 2026-27).

At Benchmark International Arena

Tampa Bay Lightning have won 15 of their last 22 at Benchmark International Arena.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Tampa Bay Lightning have the edge.