Washington Capitals vs Tampa Bay Lightning Final Score, Oct. 3, 2026
Washington Capitals6-4-0, 12 pts
Tampa Bay Lightning7-3-1, 15 ptsThe Washington Capitals vs Tampa Bay Lightning final score on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026: the Lightning beat the Capitals 3-1. The Lightning led 2-0 after the first, and after the third it was Capitals 1, Lightning 3.
Capitals vs Lightning Score by Period
Goals in each period for both clubs, visitors first. The Total column is the final score.
Capitals vs Lightning Game Details
The fixed facts for this game in one place. The Lightning play at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa Bay.
| Matchup | Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 7:00 PM ET |
| Status | Final |
| TV | MNMT |
| Venue | Benchmark International Arena, Tampa Bay |
| Home team | Tampa Bay Lightning (Tampa Bay, United States) |
| Away team | Washington Capitals |
| Game type | Regular season |
| Season | 2026-27 |
| Final score | Capitals 1, Lightning 3 |
Capitals vs Lightning in 2026-27: Head to Head
The Capitals and the Lightning meet 3 times in 2026-27. 1 game has been played and the Lightning lead the season series 1-0. Every meeting is listed below with its result or start time, and each one opens that game's own page.
| Date | Start time | Matchup | TV | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 3 | 0-2, 1-0, 0-1 | MNMT | Final | |
| Tue, Nov 17 | Washington CapitalsWSHTampa Bay LightningTBL | ESPN+, Disney+, Hulu | Scheduled | |
| Mon, Mar 15 | Tampa Bay LightningTBLWashington CapitalsWSH | The Spot - MTN | Scheduled |
Form and Standings: Capitals and Lightning
The Capitals are 6-4-0, 4th in the Metropolitan Division with 12 points and a last-10 record of 6-4-0. The Lightning are 7-3-1, 4th in the Atlantic with 15 points and 7-2-1 in their last 10.
| Team | GP | Record | PTS | Home | Away | GF | GA | Streak | Last 10 | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 6-4-0 | 12 | 5-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 34 | 32 | W1 | 6-4-0 | WLWWL | |
| 11 | 7-3-1 | 15 | 5-0-0 | 2-3-1 | 38 | 34 | OT1 | 7-2-1 | OTLWWW |
Next Game for the Capitals and the Lightning
Washington Capitals
The Capitals next play vs Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET on TNT, truTV, NBC Sports Phil +.
| Date | Start time | Matchup | TV | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, Oct 28 |  Philadelphia FlyersPHIWashington CapitalsWSH | TNT, truTV, NBC Sports Phil + | Scheduled |
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning next play vs Winnipeg Jets on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET on The Spot - MTN.
| Date | Start time | Matchup | TV | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 29 |  Winnipeg JetsWPGTampa Bay LightningTBL | The Spot - MTN | Scheduled |
FAQ About Capitals vs Lightning
Who won Capitals vs Lightning on Oct. 3, 2026?
The Lightning beat the Capitals 3-1. Final score: Washington Capitals 1, Tampa Bay Lightning 3.
What was the Capitals vs Lightning score by period?
The Lightning led 2-0 after the first, and after the third it was Capitals 1, Lightning 3.
Did Capitals vs Lightning go to overtime?
No. The game was decided in regulation.
Where is Capitals vs Lightning being played?
At Benchmark International Arena in Tampa Bay, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Washington Capitals are the visiting team.
Who has the better record, the Capitals or the Lightning?
The Lightning. They are 7-3-1 with 15 points, against 6-4-0 and 12 points for the Capitals.
How many times do the Capitals and Lightning play in 2026-27?
3 times. 1 game has been played and the Lightning lead the season series 1-0.
Does Capitals vs Lightning count in the standings?
Yes. It is a regular-season game: two points for a win, one for a loss in overtime or a shootout.
When do the Capitals and Lightning play again?
On Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET, Washington Capitals at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa Bay.
Updated All times Eastern Time (ET)