Caps vs. Panthers 11-28-2007 Preview

Washington Capitals (8-16; 17 points) vs. Florida Panthers (11-13; 23 points):
Caps Game #25, Home Game #12, NHL Game #351

Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7:07 pm. Washington TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic Plus. Radio: WWWT 1500-AM, 107.7-FM. Florida TV: Fox SportsNet Florida. Radio: WAXY 790-AM. NHL Center Ice: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic Plus feed.

Tonight the Caps start to close out a 10 games in 17 days stretch with three games in four nights in three cities when they host the Florida Panthers. The Panthers were here just nine days ago and this is the third time in this stretch that the Caps have faced Florida. The Caps are still looking for their first win against the Panthers who have won four of their past five games and three in a row with two of those wins coming over the Caps. Florida last played however on Friday night when they beat the Rangers at home in a gimmick 3-2.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Miami Herald: avoiding surgery, young trio.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

Is Bruce Boudreau behind the bench enough for the Caps to get past the Panthers? The Caps are in the middle of a tough stretch of hockey games while the Panthers have had some time to catch their breath with four days off. As a matter of fact, these two teams meet again on Saturday night in Sunrise playing half of the season series in the span of 17 days. The Caps have already dropped a pair of one goal decisions to the Panthers and losing another one to the Panthers will certainly bring more than just the coaching into question. Boudreau has shaken up the lines again and blamed Monday's loss on not playing smart enough. If nothing else, we can see if Michael Nylander can drag down A.O.'s plus/minus tonight.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 2
Panthers 3
Winner by Booth

(14-10 on the season)