The Capitals host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Capital One Arena tonight in the second of three meetings between the teams this season. Washington lost the first meeting against Tampa Bay 6-3 on March 16. The Capitals are 78-33-6-9 all-time against the Lightning.
Nicklas Backstrom recorded his 50th assist of the season last night against the New Jersey Devils, becoming the only player in the NHL to record at least 50 assists the last six straight seasons. Backstrom became the 26th player in NHL history to record six straight seasons with at least 50 assists, and one of only two active players (Joe Thornton: 2002-03 through 2009-10). Of the 25 other players to accomplish this feat, 23 are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the other two are not yet eligible (Henrik Sedin, Thornton). Backstrom is currently two goals shy of becoming the only player in the NHL with four straight seasons of at least 20 goals and 50 assists. Backstrom is also aiming to become the 35th player in NHL history to record four straight seasons with at least 20 goals and 50 assists, and one of only two active players (Thornton: 2002-03 through 2009-10). Of the 34 players to accomplish this feat, 27 are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, and three are not yet eligible (Thornton, Jaromir Jagr, Pavel Datsyuk). Since entering the NHL in 2007, Backstrom's 640 assists rank first and his 867 points (227g, 640a) rank fifth in the NHL.
Today
10:15 a.m.: Optional morning skate, MedStar Capitals Iceplex
5:15 p.m.: Head coach Todd Reirden media availability, Capital One Arena
7:30 p.m.: Washington vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, Capital One Arena
TV: NBCSN
Audio: FAN 106.7 FM, Caps Radio 24/7, Caps Mobile App, WashingtonCaps.com
Thursday, March 21
Day off
Friday, March 22
10:15 a.m.: Morning skate, MedStar Capitals Iceplex
7 p.m.: Washington vs. Minnesota Wild, Capital One Arena
TV: NBCSW, NHLN
Audio: FAN 106.7 FM, Caps Radio 24/7, Caps Mobile App, WashingtonCaps.com
Saturday, March 23
11:30 a.m.: Practice, MedStar Capitals Iceplex
March 20, 2019
Must Read/See/Hear Material
Dump 'n Chase: Caps Open Homestand with Rematch vs. Bolts / Caps Drop Devils, 4-1
Washington Capitals: Capitals Sharing the Wealth
Washington Post: Alex Ovechkin says he's 'excited' to attend Capitals' White House celebration Monday / Capitals overwhelm last-place Devils with their offensive depth in a 4-1 victory / Washington Capitals to celebrate Stanley Cup victory at White House Monday / Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos returns to lineup, replacing veteran Brooks Orpik
Washington Times: Stanley Cup-winning Capitals to visit Trump Monday / With 'Chel Classic,' Capitals make their foray into esports
The Athletic: Capitals' Brett Connolly on White House visit: 'I respectfully decline'
NBC Sports Washington: Capitals take back first place in Metro by dismantling shorthanded Devils / Capitals deliver with a 4-1 win over the Devils / Capitals mailbag: Will the Capitals get any playoff help from the Hershey Bears? / The Capitals look to extend their recent dominance over the Devils / Capitals to visit White House to celebrate Stanley Cup
NHL.com: Capitals regain first in Metropolitan with win against Devils / Pluses, minuses for Lightning-Capitals, Jets-Ducks / Stanley Cup visit surprises teacher who is Capitals season ticket holder
AP: 10 Things to Know for Today (Washington Capitals mentioned) / Washington takes home win streak into matchup with Tampa Bay / Caps regain 1st in the Metro; Canes outlast Pens in shootout / Connolly leads Caps into 1st place with 4-1 win over Devils / Stanley Cup champion Capitals to visit Trump at White House / AP Source: Cup champion Capitals to visit White House / Tuesday Sports in Brief (Washington Capitals mentioned) / The Latest: Cup champion Capitals to visit White House / Stanley Cup champion Capitals to visit White House Monday / Brett Connolly to skip Capitals visit to Trump White House: Respectfully, decline'
CBS Sports: Washington Capitals will finally visit White House to commemorate Stanley Cup win
DCist: The Capitals Are Going To The White House
ESPN: The most, least impressive NHL trade deadline acquisitions (Carl Hagelin mentioned) / NHL Playoff Watch Daily: Playoff chances, Lose for Hughes projections and more (Washington Capitals mentioned)
The Hill: Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals to visit White House on Monday
NBC Sports: The Buzzer: Schwartz helps Blues keep pace; Rinne, Rask pick up shutouts (Nicklas Backstrom mentioned) / Capitals prepare for Lightning test with warm-up win against Devils / NHL on NBCSN: Alex Ovechkin is as dominant as ever
NJ.com: Kyle Palmieri exits early in Devils' loss to Capitals | Rapid reaction
North Country Now: St. Lawrence County hockey fans can see and selfie with Stanley Cup when it returns to Olympic Center (Washington Capitals mentioned)
NorthJersey.com: NJ Devils' second-period blowup costly in loss to Capitals
Reuters: NHL roundup: Caps alone atop Metro
TSN: Capitals to visit White House on Monday
USA Today: President Trump to welcome Washington Capitals at White House on Monday
WNST: Connolly's 20th Goal of the Season Leads the Caps Over New Jersey
WRC-TV NBC 4: Capitals to Celebrate Stanley Cup Championship at White House Monday
WUSA-TV CBS 9: Defending Stanley Cup champion Capitals will visit White House Monday
Yahoo Sports: NHL Power Rankings: Maple Leafs need to sort things out ASAP (Washington Capitals mentioned)
106.7 The Fan: Capitals to Celebrate Stanley Cup Victory at the White House
TV/Audio Clips:
Washington Capitals: Todd Reirden Postgame | March 19 / Caps Post Locker Room | March 16 / Global Series | Sweden / Captain's Brunch
NBC Sports Washington: Pregame Rush: Caps ready for rematch with Lightning
Sportsnet: Some players on Capitals expected to not attend White House visit
FOX 45: On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (5 a.m.)
WBAL-TV NBC 11: On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (5 a.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (11 p.m.)
WJLA-TV ABC 7: On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (6 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (4 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (4 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (12 p.m.)
WRC-TV NBC 4: On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (6 a.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (5 a.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (4 a.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (11 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (6 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (6 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (5 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (4 p.m.)
WTTG-TV FOX 5: On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (11 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (10 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (6 p.m.)
WUSA-TV CBS 9: On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (6 a.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (11 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (7 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (6 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (6 p.m.) / On the Capitals Upcoming White House Visit (5 p.m.)
Lightning Clips:
The Athletic: How Rick Tocchet played a key role in Steven Stamkos' rise to Lightning record books / How getting 'outmatched' by Capitals in conference final fueled Lightning's historic season
CBS Sports: Tampa Bay Lightning are your 2018-2019 Presidents' Trophy winners ... obviously
Tampa Bay Times: Steven Stamkos' goal record-setter: It wasn't a one-timer, but it was fitting / Lightning 'damn proud' to clinch Presidents' Trophy / Steven Stamkos sets Lightning record for career goals / Lightning, hockey fans react to Steven Stamkos' new record
