Caps @ Panthers 3-30-2007 Wrap Up/ Caps @ Ning 3-31-2007 Preview

The Local Yokels:

(Com)Post. Caps.com.

The Neutral Observers:

NHL.com AP Wire.

The Other Side:

Miami Herald. Panthers.com.

Final Thoughts:

The more I think about it, the more last night's disallowed goal exemplifies the Caps season. A better bounce (or better eyes in Toronto) or two and there isn't this pall cast over this team. 78 down, 4 to go.


Washington Capitals (26-52; 66 points; 5th Southeast Division, 14th Eastern Conference, 26th Overall) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (42-36; 88 points; 2nd Southeast Division, 6th Eastern Conference, 14th Overall):
Caps Game #79, Road Game #40, NHL Game #1,172

St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL. 7:35 pm. Washington TV: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WTNT 570-AM. Tampa TV: Sunshine Network. Radio: WDAE 620-AM. NHL Center Ice: Sunshine Network feed.

Tonight the Caps play for the last time in the state of Florida this season when they face the Ning in Tampa. The point the Caps earned last night moved them up one spot in the overall standings but they can finish no better than 24th overall and no worse than 29th. The Ning however are still in the hunt for the Southeast Division Title but have not yet wrapped up a playoff spot. Since the 7-1 smackdown in the Phone Booth, the Ning have gone 3-2 including last night's big win over the Canes in Raleigh.

What The Natives Are Saying:

Caps.com. Caps.com .pdf game notes.

Open Source Intelligence:

St. Petersburg Times: Big goal, big win, not for sale. Tampa Tribune: Ning battles back, still not for sale. Ning.com.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

In addition to the usual litany of staying out of the penalty box and getting goals on the Power Play, the Caps tonight will have to find a way to battle through the poor officiating and bad bounces and bounce back tonight and take advantage of a team coming off an emotional win. The Ning could be ripe for the picking tonight after last night's big win despite looking to avenge the 7-1 beatdown from 13 days ago. A Caps win in regulation tonight helps the Thrashers extend their lead over the Ning and puts the Rangers well within striking distance of the Ning for 6th overall.

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

Caps 2
Ning 5
Winner by Richards

Editorial Note For The Loyal Readers Of This Blog:

A good friend of mine is in town and we'll be getting together later today for dinner. While we plan on hitting a sports bar somewhere in the Greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, I may not be able to watch tonight's game because of the Whats? Final Four game later tonight. That being said, there's a good chance that there will not be a Post-Mortem tonight, especially if my Grandmother's Ohio State Buckeyes dispatch the Whats? tonight.