Caps vs. Panthers 2-27-2007 Preview

Washington Capitals (24-39; 58 points; 5th Southeast Division, 14th Eastern Conference, 25th Overall) vs. Florida Panthers (24-39; 61 points; 4th Southeast Division, 13th Eastern Conference, 24th Overall):
Caps Game #64, Home Game #33, NHL Game #945

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7:05 pm. Washington TV: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WTNT 570-AM. Florida TV: Fox Sportsnet Florida. Radio: WQAM 560-AM. NHL Center Ice: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic feed.

With the trade deadline passing a few hours before tonight's game, the Caps face another team who is in sell mode in the Florida Panthers. The Caps haven't bothered to show up the last three times these teams have met losing in big and depressing fashion. The Panthers are coming off a Saturday night 7-2 shellacking of the Boston Bruins on home ice. Who will or won't take the ice for either team is a bit of mystery.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

Open Source Intelligence:

Miami Herald.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

Games on deadline day always have a funny vibe. A player that has been traded at the deadline leaves a hole in the lineup and any players coming to the team aren't there yet for the game which leaves a sense of anticipation. With both the Caps and the Panthers in selling mode, there's more likely to be gaps in the lineup tonight than anticipation. The Caps haven't played very well against Florida recently and there's no reason why the Panthers shouldn't feel as if they have the Caps number right now. Given that the Caps haven't been putting forward great efforts and their recent inconsistency, I think this could be another long night for the home team.

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

Caps 1
Panthers 4
Winner by Jokinen