Capitals at Panthers
THE STORY: The Washington Capitals must turn things around soon if they are to have a postseason. The Capitals are just 2-4-2 in their last eight as they prepare to face the Southeast Division-leading Florida Panthers on Friday. The teams have split four games, each winning a pair on home ice. Capitals goaltender Tomas Vokoun, who has missed the last two games with the flu, shut out his former team in both starts. Florida has won three of its last four.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CSN (Washington), FS-FLA (Florida).
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (28-23-5): Washington is struggling, with just one victory in its last five games, and it’s leading to frustration. Caps assistant goaltender coach Olaf Kolzig recently questioned Alex Ovechkin’s work ethic in an interview and veteran forward Mike Knuble has grumbled about being scratched from the lineup. Ovechkin and defenseman Dennis Wideman also traded slashes at practice Thursday, according to a Washington Post report. It’s uncertain whether Vokoun will be 100 percent for Friday, which starts a critical four-game, six-day road trip. The Caps are 9-15-3 on the road.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (27-18-11): Florida failed to win its fourth straight game for the third time this season Wednesday in the 6-2 loss to Ottawa, despite a season-high 44 shots on goal. The Panthers are still without three regular defensemen, including 13-goal scorer Jason Garrison. D Tyson Strachan has filled in well with three points and a plus-2 in nine games. Kris Versteeg has 22 goals, needing one to reach his career high. Sean Bergenheim has five goals and two assists in eight February games. The Panthers have given up a season-high six goals twice this month.
OVERTIME:
1. Washington’s F Jason Chimera and D John Carlson each has five points against the Panthers this season.
2. The Panthers have the least regulation home losses (six) in the Eastern Conference.
3. Washington is just 6 for 11 killing penalties the last three games.