Lightning Seek Ninth Straight Win Against Panthers as Ovechkin Chases History

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Tampa Bay Lightning are on the hunt for their ninth consecutive victory as they face the Florida Panthers Monday night at 7 p.m. ET. This matchup comes fresh off the Lightning’s recent 3-1 win against the Washington Capitals, which marked their eighth straight win.

The Lightning (35-20-4) continue their impressive streak, bolstered by a strong showing from forward Brayden Point, who leads the team with 87 points (27 goals, 60 assists) this season. Meanwhile, the Panthers (37-21-3) are also on a roll, coming off three straight wins, including a 3-0 victory over the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

“That’s the way we’ve got to play,” Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos said following the win over Washington. “Defense wins championships. It’s a long way from that, but obviously, playing this way, you’ve got to feel comfortable in any game.”

One of the central storylines in this matchup is Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, who recently scored his 884th career goal, edging closer to passing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894 goals. Ovechkin is now just 11 goals shy of making history, needing two points to hit the 1,600-point milestone.

Ovechkin has been a force this season, tallying 31 goals in just 44 games, and Washington coach Spencer Carbery praised Ovechkin’s resilience and skills. “He’s finishing at a real high rate coming out of the break,” Carbery remarked.

The Lightning hold the advantage in scoring, with Point being backed by a host of players on eight-game point streaks, adding to their already formidable offensive lineup. Florida’s lineup will see the return of defenseman K’Andre Miller after he joined the team from the Chicago Blackhawks last week in a trade.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs look to extend their five-game winning streak against the San Jose Sharks at home Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Toronto forward Auston Matthews recently reached 700 points faster than any player in franchise history, and with a goal and an assist against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, he is spurring the team’s recent success.

The Sharks (15-37-9) are struggling, hoping to snap their eight-game losing streak. Their last win came over a month ago, raising questions about team management and strategic adjustments ahead of the offseason.

Additionally, Monday’s games feature the Ottawa Senators facing the Capitals and the New York Islanders squaring off against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. With playoffs on the horizon, every game counts as teams look to solidify their standings in the league.