Washington Capitals desperately need win to enter playoff spots as they face rivals Florida Panthers - NHL Preview
Florida Panthers need just a single win to secure their playoff position and the Southeast division title and they will be looking to do just that with a visit to the Washington Capitals on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the Verizon Center.
The Panthers have been struggling lately for results and if that continues they might just lose their grip on the division title while also missing out on a first playoff berth in 12 years.
Florida are currently third in the Eastern Conference with 92-points.
On a four-game losing streak the Panthers are just a single victory away from the coveted playoffs but it won’t get any easier against a Washington Capitals side embroiled in its own playoff battle.
Washington on the other hand needs two wins in its last two games plus two defeats for the Panthers to secure the division title.
However, they might still need the wins as they are tied on points with the Buffalo Sabres on 88-points with both teams locked in a desperate struggle to secure the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Panthers (37-25-18, 92 pts)
Florida are top of the Southeast division for now but face a tough test against division rivals Washington Capitals.
The Capitals desperately need a win to keep one foot inside the playoffs and will go all out against a Panthers team that has lost its last four games in a row.
Florida’s last two defeats both came after regulation with a 2-1 shootout defeat to Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, followed by a painful 5-4 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets after the Panthers gave a three-goal second period lead.
Defenseman Ed Jovanovski knows the tough task his side face against the Capitals and says that they are ready for the challenge.
"We know we're going in a hornet's nest in Washington but we've battled adversity all year, through injuries and tough stretches, and we'll come up with a good game plan and not only get one point but get two."
Capitals (40-32-8, 88 pts)
Washington need the two-points more than anything if they wish to remain in contention into the playoffs.
The Capitals lost two points on Monday after a 4-2 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning which kept them tied on points with the Sabres.
They need a win on Thursday and Left Winger Jason Chimera wants to win badly.
"We're fighting for our playoff lives, so it's not that hard to bounce back, It means a lot playing for something this time of year. You want to play in the playoffs. Ask any player what's the worst day -- it's sitting home watching playoffs the first day
of playoffs. You want to be in those playoffs. You want to be in the hot seat."
Predictions
Washington will win the game.
Sum of goals will be more than six.
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