[7:00 PM] Panthers @ Capitals

Who will WIN this matchup?

Florida Panthers (5-5-1)

@ Washington Capitals (7-2-1)

 

Starting Goalies:

Roberto Luongo(FLA): Confirmed

Braden Holtby(WSH): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Florida Panthers: (+160)

Washington Capitals: (-180)

 

• The Washington Capitals are starting to warm up on the offensive end and go after their fifth consecutive victory when the Florida Panthers pay a visit Saturday night. The Capitals coughed up a three-goal lead in the third period Thursday before captain Alex Ovechkin’s overtime goal gave them a 4-3 victory over Winnipeg – their fourth straight contest with at least three goals.

• Florida could get two of its three injured forwards – Nick Bjugstad (hand) and Jussi Jokinen (knee) – back next week to help with depth as it battles to avoid fading in the standings. Two offseason free agents lead the Panthers in scoring as Jonathan Marchessault (12 points) has prospered on the top line with 12 points and Colton Sceviour owns eight. Aleksander Barkov (two goals) and Jaromir Jagr (one) have cooled off a bit and Florida is still awaiting the first point from fellow forward Jared McCann, who was acquired from Vancouver after last season.

• Washington’s power play is beginning to wake up as Ovechkin’s overtime winner Thursday was their third with the man advantage in 12 tries over the last four games after a 2-for-19 start to the season. Ovechkin’s sixth goal tied him with Marcus Johansson for the team lead while Nicklas Backstrom is beginning to get going with five points during the winning streak. Goalie Braden Holtby (5-2-0, 2.22 goals-against average, .921 save percentage) is off to another strong start and is unbeaten in regulation against the Panthers (8-0-1) with a .918 save percentage.

• Washington C Lars Eller, acquired from Montreal in the offseason, has one goal in the first 10 games.

• The Panthers dropped a 4-2 decision at home to the Capitals on Oct. 20 after going 2-0-1 in the season series in 2015-16.

• Florida G Roberto Luongo, who was rested Thursday, is 20-11-0 with a .925 save percentage in 37 career games versus the Capitals.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Washington Capitals  

Confidence: 6/10

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