Gameday: at Tampa Bay, May 3 - Round Two, Game Three

Can we see this again, please? Season kinda on the line.

The Washington Capitals are in Tampa Bay this evening to take on the Lightning in game three of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinal series.  The Lightning are up two games to none in the series, having won game one 4-2 and game two 3-2 in overtime.  Washington is in effect putting it all on the line tonight; a loss would all but end their postseason dream, while a win would have the potential to help them pick up momentum, and guarantee that the series goes back to Verizon Center for at least one more game.  This is, in fact, a huge tilly.

Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher will give the nod in net to Dwayne Roloson for his team, the veteran's tenth consecutive start.  Roloson has been an absolute rock this postseason, leading the NHL in save percentage and putting up the second best GAA, only .03 behind Michal Neuvirth's mark.  On the injury front, both left winger Simon Gagne and defenseman Pavel Kubina, who were injured in game one and missed game two, are considered questionable.  It is not known who would replace them if they were not able to play.

Bruce Boudreau is likely to give the nod in net to Michal Neuvirth, who has played well overall this postseason but has struggled in this series.  The rookie Czech leads the NHL in postseason GAA with a 1.77 mark, and has started all seven of the Caps' games in these 2011 playoffs.  Outside the crease, Bruce Boudreau is expected to keep the same lineup as last game.  Dennis Wideman, currently rehabbing a hematoma in his leg, is not believed to be ready to play.  If the lineup stays the same, the healthy scratches will be Tyler Sloan, Matt Hendricks, DJ King, Jay Beagle, Sean Collins, and all of the Hershey Bears call ups from late last week.

Puck drops for this one 6:40-ish.  Check back later today for updates from both morning skates.