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Caps shoot for Game 2 victory against visiting Bolts

May 1, 2011 - 2:52 PM (Sports Network) - The top-seeded Washington Capitals will try to even the Eastern Conference semifinals tonight, when they host the rival Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 2 at Verizon Center.

The fifth-seeded Lightning, who finished four points behind Washington for the Southeast Division title this year, grabbed a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with a 4-2 victory in Friday's opener.

Steven Stamkos scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period to help the Lightning take Game 1. It was the third goal of the postseason for Stamkos, who led his club with 45 tallies during the regular season.

Steve Downie had a goal and an assist while Sean Bergenheim and Dominic Moore also scored for the Lightning, who have won four straight since falling behind three-games-to-one in the opening round against Pittsburgh.

Dwayne Roloson stopped 26 shots for Tampa Bay, which is attempting to advance to the conference finals for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup in 2004. Washington is trying to make the East finals for the first time since its run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998.

"The Capitals still had their chances, they hit a couple posts," said Moore. "Tonight was anyone's game, we just got the bounces. I thought they should have buried us but Roloson kept us alive."

It wasn't all good news for the Lightning, however, as they lost left wing Simon Gagne after he banged his head on the ice in the first period. The play occurred about 7 1/2 minutes into the game after Gagne was checked cleanly into the right boards by Scott Hannan.

Gagne laid on the ice for several minutes and was eventually helped into the locker room by a pair of teammates. He did not return to the test and is questionable for today's game. Gagne has two goals and five assists in this year's playoffs.

In addition to Gagne, Tampa Bay defensemen Pavel Kubina also suffered a head injury in Game 1. He is also questionable for tonight's tilt.

Eric Fehr and Alexander Semin both had a goal for the Capitals, who downed the Rangers in five games in the quarterfinals. Michal Neuvirth stopped 20-of-23 shots in the loss.

"The Lightning make it frustrating. They just hang back," said Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau. "You're trying to push and they are very good at it. That's why when they get a lead they hold on to it."

The Caps are hoping to get Mike Knuble back in this series, but the veteran forward missed the last two games against the Rangers with an injured right hand and he is questionable for Game 2. Knuble, 38, is a physical presence in front of the net and was third on Washington with 24 goals in the regular season.

Meanwhile, John Carlson is expected to play today after an undisclosed injury limited the Caps defenseman's playing time in Game 1. Carlson who logged just 14 minutes, 39 seconds in the opener sat out Saturday's optional practice.

Washington is not counting on having veteran defenseman Dennis Wideman for at least the early part of this series, as he is still recovering from a hematoma in his right leg. Wideman, who was acquired in a trade with Florida at the deadline, hasn't played since March 29 and is doubtful for this evening.

Tampa, which will host Game 3 on Tuesday, is 4-1 on the road in the playoffs this season. The Lightning were 21-14-6 as the visiting team during the 2010-11 campaign.

The Capitals had a 25-11-5 record as the host this year and are 3-1 at the Verizon Center in the postseason.

This marks just the second playoff series between the clubs. The only other time these teams have met in the postseasons was in the 2003 conference quarterfinals and the Lightning won that series in six games.