Caps @ Panthers 11-15-2007 Preview

Washington Capitals (6-11; 13 points) @ Florida Panthers (7-12; 15 points):
Caps Game #18, Road Game #11, NHL Game #266

BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, FL, 7:37 pm. Washington TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WWWT 1500-AM, 107.7-FM. Florida TV: Fox SportsNet Florida. Radio: WAXY 790-AM. NHL Center Ice: Fox SportsNet Florida feed.

Tonight the Caps head back out on the road for a set of back-to-back games in the Sunshine State when they visit the Florida Panthers. The Panthers have been playing in streaks all season. Recently they've lost four in a row and after losing at home to Carolina on Monday and Tuesday night in Atlanta. The Panthers gave up goals late in both games that ended up costing them a win.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Miami Herald. Panthers.com.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

Twice last season the Caps had back-to-back games in the state of Florida and let's just say those four games were a significant part of their 2-6 record in the state last year. Tonight two struggling hockey teams meet; the Caps are looking for consistent scoring while the Panthers are just looking for consistency. The Caps have lost 12 of their last 16 games against Florida and Panthers goaltender Tomas Vokun has a 1.82 GAA and a .942 save percentage in 5 games against the Caps. While Captain Chris Clark returns tonight, I can't say I see the slump being busted coming off a four day layoff as all kinds of troubling signs and surrounding the team

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 1
Panther 3
Winner by Jokinen

(7-10 on the season)