Caps vs. Panthers 4-3-2007 Preview

Washington Capitals (26-53; 66 points; 5th Southeast Division, 14th Eastern Conference, 27th Overall) vs. Florida Panthers (30-45; 83 points; 4th Southeast Division, 12th Eastern Conference, 21st Overall):
Caps Game #80, Home Game #40, NHL Game #1,184

Verizon Center, Washington, DC 7:05 pm. Washington TV: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WTNT 570-AM. Flordia TV: None. Radio: WQAM 560-AM. NHL Center Ice: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic feed.

The light at the end of the tunnel is in sight for the Capitals. Today they play their penultimate home game by hosting the Florida Panthers. After defeating the Caps in overtime last Friday night, the Panthers blew a two goal lead in the third period to lose 4-3 in overtime. The Panthers are starting a three game road trip tonight in Washington to close out their season.

What The Natives Are Saying:

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

Open Source Intelligence:

Miami Herald.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

Try as they might, the Caps have been unable to finish off this season with a push like they did last season. Whatever the reason is for that is not important but it does add to the list of problems for this team heading into the offseason. Any kind of loss by the Panthers tonight or any point earned by Montreal will officially eliminate the Panthers from the playoffs. So this could very well be two teams just trying to run out the clock tonight.

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

Caps 4
Panthers 3
Winner by Semin