Home ice isn't so nice

Tampa Bay shows its inexperience in Game 1 loss

So much for home-ice advantage. The Lightning won the Southeast Division and their prize was a third seed in the Eastern Conference and the honor of opening at home in the playoffs. But they looked like a team with 10 players playing their first playoff game more than a divisional champ.

The game was equal parts of the Lightning looking tentative and the Capitals being in top form. The Caps executed in all three zones, able to do what they wanted to on the forecheck, while on the backcheck they kept the Lightning from going north and south with their usual buzz.

And on the backline, the Caps' defense did a great job of keeping the Lightning to just one shot on offense, eliminating pucks and players in putback situations.

Getting to the front of the net might be the difference in this series. The Lightning didn't do it and the Caps' skilled players made the most of their bids when they did get to the scoring area. And the goal scorers were centermen Robert Lang and Michael Nylander doing what the young pivot combo of Vincent Lecavalier and Brad Richards couldn't do. That pair can't go scoreless in any circumstance if the Bolts are to bounce back.

In goal, the first nod goes to Olaf Kolzig over Nikolai Khabibulin. Kolzig made his best saves with his team up 1-0, not allowing the home team to draw even and gain confidence. Khabibulin cheated on a 2-on-1, looking pass and missing Lang's short-side shot to fall behind 2-0. From then on, the Lightning looked a little lost. Kolzig easily handled mostly long-range attempts by the Lightning as they pressed without pressuring.

That will have to change in Game 2 if the Lightning wants to draw even.

Three Stars

First Star: Robert Lang did what a top player is supposed to do -- he made a difference by scoring two goals.

Second Star: Kolzig posted the shutout and looked dominating in doing it -- a veteran intimidating a young team early in a series.

Third Star: Jason Doig played a smart, tough, physical game and was a presence all night long patrolling the Capitals' blueline.

Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, is a hockey analyst for SI.com. Eliot will provide Stanley Cup Playoffs commentary throughout the postseason and is also broadcasting games for NHL Radio.

 

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