Caps vs. Panthers 1-19-2008 Preview

Washington Capitals (20-26; 45 points; 4th Southeast Division, 13th Eastern Conference, 27th Overall) vs. Florida Panthers (21-27; 46 points; 3rd Southeast Division, 12th Eastern Conference, 26th Overall):
Caps Game #47, Home Game #24, NHL Game #711

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

Tonight the Caps wrap up their five game homestand when they meet the Panthers for the first time in 49 days after playing the Panthers for the fourth time in 17 days. Florida won the first three games of the season series but the Caps broke the Panthers 4 game winning against the Caps in Florida with a 2-1 win in the last matchup. Florida has won 6 of the last 8 games between the two teams. Recently the Panthers have won only twice in their last five games including last night's 2-1 win in New Jersey over the Devils. The Panthers are playing their third game in four nights all on the road.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Miami Herald: 500th win, call up.

What Do I Expect Tonight?:

Florida is a team that has given us fits the past few years and with the closely compacted standings, this is a huge game for both teams tonight. The Caps are facing another Top Ten Power Play unit tonight so once again it will be critical for the Caps to stay out of the Penalty Box. Brent Johnson is being tapped to get the start tonight but the Caps will also need to avoid falling behind as they have in every game this week as the Caps have had trouble scoring on Tomas Vokoun in the past. These teams have also played each other very close and very tight this season as three of the four games have ended 2-1 and the last six games in this series have all been decided by one goal.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 1
Panthers 2
Winner by Booth

(28-18 on the season)