7:39 pm
February 22

Capitals @ Panthers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Washington Capitals (34-19-7)

@ Florida Panthers (26-25-6)

 

Starting Goalies:

Braden Holtby (WSH): Likely

Roberto Luongo (FLA): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Washington Capitals: (-105)

Florida Panthers: (-115)

 

• The Washington Capitals lead the Metropolitan Division, but they have lost four of the past six games. Going back further in this worrisome Capitals stretch, they have lost nine of their past 15 games heading into Thursday night’s game against the host Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center.

• Capitals star goalie and two-time Vezina Trophy-finalist Braden Holtby has a personal four-game losing streak — the worst stretch of his career — and he has taken it upon himself to shoulder the blame during this Washington slump.

• The Capitals (34-19-7), who lead their division by one point over the Pittsburgh Penguins, could face a stiff challenge in the Panthers (26-25-6), who are coming off a successful 3-2-0 road trip.

• Florida is out of the playoffs at the moment with just 58 points. They trail the Columbus Blue Jackets by seven points, but the Panthers have played three fewer games.

• The Caps need him and their other defensemen to perform well because they are allowing 32.7 shots per game, the highest figure in the league. Last season, the Washington defense ranked fourth-best in the NHL in that category, allowing just 27.8 shots, and the result is an increase in goals given up from 2.16 to 3.00.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Washington Capitals
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