Caps vs. Panthers 10-18-2006 Preview

Sorry folks, this would have been posted sooner, but I ran into Blogger's weekly server crash...

Washington Capitals (1-3, 4 points) vs. Florida Panthers (3-3, 7 points)
Caps Game #4, Home Game #3, NHL Game # 85.

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7:05 PM. Washington TV: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WTEM 980-AM. Florida TV: Fox Sports Florida. Radio WQAM 560-AM. NHL Center Ice: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic feed.

The Caps hit the ice tonight for the first time since Saturday's "inexcusable" loss to Atlanta. Florida comes in off of a similar three day rest after losing in Tampa on Saturday night. Both teams are starting a three games in four night stretch.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com. Caps.com pdf game notes.

Open Source Intelligence:

Miami Herald. (Reg required) It doesn't look like the Panthers.com does a game preview but they do plug their Ice Dancers as a diversionary tactic.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

While tonight starts a three games in four nights vs. division opponents for the Caps. This is actually their second consecutive game vs. the Southeast and their 3rd overall. So far the Caps are 1-1 vs. the Southeast and including tonight's game, all three have been at home. The Caps are right that you need to win in your division in order to be successful because in the "new NHL" that's pretty much all you play are divisional games. Detroit won the President's trophy last year feasting on the weak Central Division. If Saturday's loss was "inexcusable" and the Caps want to do better in their own division, then I expect a solid performance from the Caps tonight.

Caps Nut Official Washington Hockey.com Predict The Score Contest Entry:

Caps 5
Panthers 3
Winner by Ovechkin