Caps (18-8-3, 39 points) vs. Panthers (12-14-0, 24 points)
What » Game #30
Where » Verizon Center
When » 7 p.m.
TV » CSN HD
Radio » WFED-1500 AM
Washington needs to stop its second three-game losing streak in the last 16 days. Both times the Caps managed a point with overtime or shootout losses, but 0-2-1 with a game left against Colorado isn’t exactly getting it done, either. Would be a major disappointment to start a four-game homestand like that, which would happen if they lose to Florida tonight. It is the first game of the year between the two teams and Washington swept all six games against the Panthers in 2009-10.
Looks like Matt Bradley and D.J. King are the scratches tonight. Semyon Varlamov will be in goal as Bruce Boudreau continues his platoon system with Michal Neuvirth.
Florida is an odd team. The Panthers have lost several key players to injury, according to the Miami Herald: forwards Cory Stillman (back spasms), Rostislav Olesz (broken finger), Radek Dvorak (shoulder) and defenseman Bryan Allen (foot) are all out tonight. Florida is ranked 8th in goals against (2.7) in the NHL and 11th on the penalty kill (83.3%). But they are 21st in goals per game (2.5) and the power play (7.9%) is abysmal. Florida sits 30th overall in that category. But they also block shots (250), take a league-low in penalties (7.3 per game) and have a guy traditionally among the league’s better goalies in Tomas Vokoun (10-10, 2.58 GAA, .917 save percentage). Washington sees the Czech Republic native often being in the same division. Does that help at all? Vokoun is 7-12 with a 2.71 goals-against average and .918 save percentage in 20 career games against the Caps
“I don’t know if it helps,” Boudreau said. “You sit here and say ‘Okay, you can beat him there and can’t beat him there. But when the good goalies are on their game they are very, very difficult to beat.”
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