Game # 28
Caps (16-5-6, 38 points) vs. Florida Panthers (11-12-4, 26 points)
Caps have won three in a row and look to make it four tonight when they host the Panthers at Verizon Center. Alex Ovechkin is out with the start of his two-game suspension. Defenseman Tom Poti (upper-body injury) is also out – though he could be ready for this weekend’s game at Philadelphia, accoridng to coach Bruce Boudreau. Defenseman Shaone Morrisonn (concussion) skated Thursday and could be ready next week.
Washington will have a decided advantage tonight. The Panthers played last night – a game where they blew a 5-3 lead in the final minute at home to Colorado. They ended up winning in the shootout anyway. But will they have their legs in the second half? Caps are 5-0 against Southeast Division opponents this season, including a pair of back-to-back wins against the Panthers earlier this month. Washington outscored Florida 11-5 in those two games.
Forward Alex Semin returns for the Caps. He has missed seven games with a wrist injury. In 18 games Semin has nine goals and eight assists.
“I have no idea,” coach Bruce Boudreau said when asked what he expects from Semin after his layoff. “Sometimes with him when you expect little you get a lot and when you expect a lot you get a little. He’s just a great player when he’s on. And if he’s on tonight then it makes us a better team.”
Expect Scott Clemmensen in goal for Florida. Semyon Varlamov is back for the Caps after Jose Theodore was in net Monday against Carolina. Varlamov had a brilliant November.
“I still can’t believe [Varlamov] wasn’t [NHL] rookie of the month,” Boudreau said. “It doesn’t make any sense. But what are you going to do?”
