Capitals at Panthers
THE STORY:
The season is only two months old and the Florida Panthers haven't been
in first place this late in a campaign in 11 years. If you're doing the
math, that's also the last time that the club made a playoff
appearance. "It’s nice to see that. That’s awesome," Panthers defenseman
Brian Campbell said. "Hopefully we’re starting to build something here
and putting this team back on the map a little bit.” While Florida is
enjoying its time in the sun, the Washington Capitals aren't too fond
with being displaced from the Southeast Division penthouse. After all,
the Capitals have reigned supreme atop the division for the last four
years. This season, however, hasn't gone according to plan to the
residents of the nation's capital. An awful November ultimately spelled
doom for former coach Bruce Boudreau, who quickly found work with the
Anaheim Ducks. After snapping a four-game losing skid with a 3-2
overtime triumph over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, Washington will
look to present new coach Dale Hunter with a modest winning streak when
it visits the Panthers on Monday.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CS Washington, FS Florida
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (13-11-1):
Former Panthers netminder Tomas Vokoun will make his first trip to the
Sunshine State to face his former team. In his previous outing against
Florida on Oct. 18, Vokoun turned aside all 20 shots he faced for his
lone shutout of the season. Playing in his 500th career NHL game, Brooks
Laich netted the game-winner Saturday by scoring 12 seconds into
overtime.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (14-8-4): Ironically, former
Capitals netminder Jose Theodore will likely provide the opposition
Monday. Theodore has outplayed his predecessor this season, securing a
lower goals-against average (2.28 to 2.72) and a higher save percentage
(.924 to .909). Stephen Weiss collected his fourth three-point game in
10 contests when he collected a goal and two assists in a 5-3 win over
the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
OVERTIME:
1. Washington has successfully killed off 18 of 19
shorthanded opportunities; Florida ranks 10th in the NHL by converting
18.7 percent of its power plays.
2. Florida defenseman Dmitry
Kulikov returned to the lineup Saturday following a deep laceration on
his left leg and scored a power-play goal.