Capitals (6-7-0) vs. Panthers (3-8-2) Game preview

The Washington Capitals will host the Florida Panthers at Verizon Center Saturday night with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 pm.

The Panthers are looking to avoid their 5th straight loss and may have a hard time if the Caps play the same way they did in last night's game against the Flyers.  The Caps scored 7 goals and Holtby was credited with a shutout after he was one of several players to fight in a brawl on the ice.  Backstrom scored 2 goals, Ward scored a hat-trick and Chimera scored a goal bringing his goal per game streak to 4.  This 3rd line is a force to be reckoned with.  Adam Oates will be giving them a lot of ice time tonight. 

Neuvirth will probably get the second start of the back to back game set and has played stronger then his 1-2 record would suggest. 

The Caps are playing their first game at home since finishing the 5 game road trip (3-2.)  Alexander Ovechkin is questionable for the game with an "upper body" injury and will most likely be a game time decision.  If he can't make the start, Eric Fehr will take his place on the top line with Backstrom and Johansson for the second game in a row.

With a win tonight, the Caps can bring their record to .500.  If they want to stay competitive in the strong Metropolitan Division, they need to get two points in games against teams who are playing poorly.  Time for the Caps to put a win streak together here.

Zach's Three Keys to the Game:

** Defense- The Caps defense needs to carry last nights momentum into this game and shut down this weak Florida Panthers offense.  Green, the once 30+ goal scorer, needs to start putting pucks on the net.

** Score early- The Caps have been away from Verizon Center for five straight games.  Verizon Center will be loud (especially after what we saw last night) and an early goal should make it louder and a more troublesome atmosphere for the Panthers to play in.  If your attending, ROCK THE RED!!

** 3rd line- This 3rd line has been one of the best lines in the ENTIRE LEAGUE as of late.  Last night, they combined for 6 assists and 4 goals.  In the last 4 games this line has 20 points!  They need to keep generating scoring chances from the hard work they put in. 

GO CAPS!