Pre-Game: Capitals vs Panthers

While the Capitals are trying to figure out how to narrow the gap with the Conference-leading Bruins, the Panthers have crept into the 8th playoff spot and would cut the Caps' Divisional lead to 10 points with a win. Florida has failed to pick up a standings point in only two of their last 14 games. That includes a 7-2-3 month of January.

The Panthers have been extremely successful against the division, going 7-1-2 in their past 10 within the Southeast. In fact the Caps haven't even beat the Cats this year, losing the only match 5-3.

Its going to be interesting to see how (if) Staffan Kronwall and Alexandre Giroux play. Kronwall has yet to play in an NHL game this season and Giroux still leads the AHL in scoring. Washington is 9-2 in games that Giroux plays in, but 'Rooster' has just six points in 22 NHL games (one with the Rangers).

Tomas Vokoun should start tonight for Florida. Craig Anderson has only won twice since December 13th and got yanked after allowing three first-period goals in a recent game. Vokoun has struggled also, going 4-10-1 (3.22 GAA) away from Sunrise Fl. He is 6-6 lifetime versus Washington.

By now everyone has seen Richard Zednik's highlight-reel goal...Now check out what Panthers coach Peter DeBoer said about the former Cap (via Miami Herald):

''That was a great play, definitely highlight-of-the-night material,'' coach Pete DeBoer said. ``He's scored a few like that this year. He's a guy I haven't given enough credit to lately. He's starting to get rewarded at the net. . . . He's a game-breaker. Your best players have to be your best players down the stretch, and he's in that group of guys. Right now, he's delivering.''

It will be one year to the day on February 10th that Zednik suffered that freighting skate to the jugular.