Caps @ Panthers 4-11-2009 Preview

Washington Capitals (50-31; 108 points; 1st Southeast Division, 2nd Eastern Conference, 4th Overall) @ Florida Panthers (40-41; 91 points; 3rd Southeast Division, 9th Eastern Conference, 15th Overall):
Caps Game #82, Road Game #41, NHL Game #1,223

BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, FL. 7:08 pm. Washington TV: Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic. Radio: WJFK 106.7-FM, WTOP 1050-AM. Florida TV: Fox SportsNet Florida +. Radio: WAXY 790-AM. NHL Center Ice: Fox SportsNet Florida + feed.

Tonight the Caps wrap up the last of their exhibition games when they head down to Florida to take on the Panthers. Florida has been alternating wins and losses over their four games this month. They won their most recent game, a 3-2 decision over over the Thrashers in Atlanta, on Thursday night but due to the victory posted by the New York Rangers and the Bettman point earned by Montreal on the same night, they were eliminated from the playoffs and only need one point tonight to secure 9th place in the Eastern Conference for whatever that is worth.

What The Natives Are Saying:

(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.

Neutral Views:

NHL.com AP Wire.

Open Source Intelligence:

Miami Herald: not enough, what's next. Panthers.com.

What Do We Expect Tonight?:

Well folks, our worst fear was that the Caps would not need this game tonight but that the Panthers would still be fighting for a chance at the playoffs. That hasn't happened so tonight folks will be one of the glorified scrimmages we've gotten used to seeing over the past month and half. Sure the Caps can set a record for wins and there are personal milestones and goals within reach, but this game will be played like the final exhibition game that it is. Players on both sides will be out there trying to do two things; get the game over with and not get injured. Those are the only important things folks as the players and coaching staff, for the Caps at least, have turned their attention to the playoffs which will start next week.

Caps Nut Official Prediction:

Caps 4
Panthers 2
Winner by Semin

(13-11 on the season)

Editorial Note for the Dozen Readers of this Blog:

In case you heathens have already forgotten, it is Easter Weekend. Now we happen to figure that you're going to spend around three hours dealing with Easter Sunday Mass anyway, so why not spend that time entirely at Mass on Easter Vigil and avoid all the Creesters and PACErs on Sunday? What we're saying is folks, we're going to Mass tonight and will not be watching tonight's thrilling, showstopping performance, and there won't be a Post-Mortem.