Capitals-Lightning Conference Semifinals Preview

The Washington Capitals begin their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning tomorrow night at Verizon Center (7 p.m., Versus-HD). A look at how the teams compare:

Season Series: Caps, 4-1-1
Playoff history: Lightning, 1-0
Only playoff meeting: Lightning, 4-2, in 2003 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Playoff Stats:

Washington Capitals
Previous Series: Defeated New York Rangers, 4-1, in Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Goals Per Game: 2.60 (9th in NHL)
GAA: 1.60 (first)
Power Play: 18.8 percent (11th)
Penalty Kill: 95 percent (3rd)

Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous Series: Defeated Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-3, in Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Goals Per Game: 3.14 (T-6th)
GAA: 2.00 (second)
Power Play: 29.6 percent (3rd)
Penalty Kill: 97.1 percent (2nd)

Four keys to the series:
* System vs. System: Both teams employ similar defense-first systems and both teams have the offensive firepower to break open a game. While it took a majority of the season for the Lightning and Caps to perfect everything, they've pretty much played according to plan in the postseason. What will make a difference will be experience and depth, and the Caps have the edge in both categories.

* Crease Battles: Rookie goaltender Michal Neuvirth leads all postseason starters in goals-against average (1.38) and is second in save percentage (.946). The ageless Dwayne Roloson has been pretty spectacular as well, boasting a 1.77 GAA and .949 save percentage. The other side to the coin is how the offensive players will be able to disrupt the sight lines of Neuvirth and Roloson, and whether they'll be able to put pressure on the goaltenders. The Rangers tried to knock Neuvirth around to no avail, and the Penguins couldn't get close enough to Roloson to score goals frequently.

* Uncle Mo: The Lightning are coming off a grueling series in which they erased a 3-1 deficit and had to fight for everything. The Caps, meanwhile, mostly dominated the Rangers and have been off for nearly a week. The good news for the top-seeded team is that motivation will not be a problem against Tampa Bay, a hated division rival. The teams played physical games all season, and there's nothing that indicates that will change in the playoffs.

* Another Shorter Series: The Caps must find a way to win this series in less than seven games after taking only five to eliminate New York. Back in 1998, when they made the Stanley Cup finals, the Caps won their series in six, five, and six games over Boston, Ottawa and Buffalo, respectively. Emulating that pattern of games played is essential this year. Tampa Bay has the firepower to give the Caps fits, but using their depth, talent and superior system (not to mention continuing their regular-season success against Tampa Bay) should be enough to propel the red, white and blue to the conference finals for the first time since that memorable run.

Prediction: Caps in six.

Predictions for other series: No. 3 Boston Bruins over No. 2 Philadelphia Flyers in seven; No. 2 San Jose Sharks over No. 3 Detroit Red Wings in seven; No. 1 Vancouver Canucks over No. 5 Nashville Predators in six.