NHL
Florida is Traveling to Washington, D.C. to Take on the Defending Cup Champion Capitals.
The Panthers are traveling to Washington, D.C. to take on the Capitals in hopes to end their 4-game skid. This will be their first of three meetings this season. Last season, the Panthers held the upper hand with a 2-1-0 record against the Caps.
Florida (0-2-2)
The Panthers are coming off of another 1-goal defeat by the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers in a shootout 6-5. Despite rallying from a 3-goal deficit, they could not take home the two points. This leaves the Panthers with only 2 points in their last four games.
In addition, the team is still riddled with injury and Bob Boughner keeps mixing up the lines. No one expected this slow of a start from a team that is filled with talent.
On the bright side, this is the last game that defenseman Mike Matheson is suspended for. He will be plugged back into the lineup on Saturday when they play Detroit at home.
Washington (3-2-1)
The Capitals are coming off of edging out the New York Rangers 4-3 in overtime. It seems as if the Stanley Cup Champions have no sign of slowing down.
Center Evgeny Kuznestov is looking like one of the best forwards in the league right now with 10 points in six games. Even in the past, he has been a huge threat to NHL defenses, look for him to get on the score sheet.
In addition, we cannot forget their captain, Alexander Ovechkin. He already has nine points on the year and scored two goals last night against the Rangers. He is always a threat on the ice and should be looked at in this match up.
Injuries/Suspensions
Florida
Defenseman Mike Matheson is suspended for this match up due to his hit on Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson on Saturday.
Center Derek Mackenzie is still battling an upper body injury.
Goaltender Roberto Luongo is still out with an MCL sprain.
Winger Jaime McGinn is still recovering from back surgery
Winger Michael Haley is still out due to personal matters.
Washington
Winger Tom Wilson is suspended due to his hit on St. Louis Blues Center Oskar Sundqvist on September 30th.
Projected Lineups (according to NHL.com)
Florida
L1: Evgenii Dadonov-Aleksander Barkov-Nick Bjugstad
L2: Vincent Trocheck-Colton Scevior-Johnathan Huberdeau
L3: Frank Vatrano-Jared McCann-Denis Malgin
L4: Mike Hoffman-Juho Lammiko-Troy Brouwer
D1: Keith Yandle-Aaron Ekblad
D2: Mark Pysyk-Alexander Petrovic
D3: Bogdan Kiselevich-Mackenzie Weegar
G1: James Reimer
G2: Michael Hutchinson
Scratches: Maxim Mamin
Washington
L1: Alexander Ovechkin-Evgeny Kuznetsov-Chandler Stephenson
L2: Jakub Vrana-Nicklas Backstrom-T.J. Oshie
L3: Andre Burakovsky-Lars Eller-Brett Connolly
L4: Dmitrij Jaskin-Nic Dowd-Devante Smith-Pelly
D1: Dmitry Orlov-Matt Niskanen
D2: Michal Kempny-John Carlson
D3: Brooks Orpik-Christian Djoos
G1: Braden Holtby
G2: Phoenix Copley
Scratches: Madison Bowey, Nathan Walker
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Photo Credit
Photo Courtesy of Nick Wass
