Lightning to battle Capitals for Eastern Conference title

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 23: Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates past Dmitry Orlov #9 of the Washington Capitals during the third period at Verizon Center on December 23, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Lightning will play the Washington Capitals after the team eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday night.

The Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in overtime. Tampa will have home ice advantage for Games 1 and 2 for the next series.

The Capitals advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for only the third time since the franchise's inception in 1974. It will be the Lightning's fifth trip in franchise history, and its third in the last four seasons.

Washington went 1-1-1 against the Lightning in three regular season meetings, the last a 4-2 loss at home on Feb. 20. That was two long months ago, and the team that celebrated in an equal parts joyous and relieved dressing room on Monday night doesn't look like the one that was still searching for its legs in mid-winter.

The schedule for the Eastern Conference finals have not been released. Over in the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights wait to learn who their opponent will be in the conference finals. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report