It's a must-win Game 3 for the Washington Capitals, heading out on the road to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night at St. Pete Times Forum. The Caps trail the best-of-seven 2011 NHL playoff series two games to zero, and a loss in Game 3 would obviously be quite the back-breaker.
Capitals Vs. Lightning, Game 3: Odd 6:30 Start Time Can’t Be Obstacle For Desperate Caps
They find themselves in a bit of an odd position. The Caps thoroughly outplayed the Lightning by just about all metrics in Game 2 at Verizon Center, but a bad line change in overtime did them in and cost them the game. Alex Ovechkin led the charge for Washington in Game 2, but they do need to get out to a better start on the road in what is a virtual must-win.
Simon Gagne and Pavel Kubina are still out of the lineup for the Lightning. They each left Game 1 with injuries and are listed as day-to-day -- just as everybody is listed this time of year. Dwayne Roloson was brilliant in Game 2 and, of course, will get the start again for Guy Boucher's bunch.
Michal Neuvirth will stay in goal for the Capitals after a bit of debate on whether or not he should get the start in this game. Of course, Bruce Boudreau has the propensity to yank his goaltenders when his team needs a boost, and obviously, after losing two games to begin the series, the Caps could use a boost. Neuvirth hasn't been nearly as good in Round 2 as he was in Round 1, but Boudreau is sticking to his guns this time.
The game can be seen on Versus and TSN at 6:30 p.m. ET. Yes, 6:30. It’s a weird time.
For more on the game and the series, check in with our Lightning vs. Capitals hub and our blogs: Japers’ Rink on the Capitals and Raw Charge on the Lightning.
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