Courtesy: CBS – Miami
For the second time this season, the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals will face off in a battle of former Southeast Division foes.
Washington got the better of Florida by virtue of a 3-2 shootout victory on Nov. 2 at Verizon Center in what was a sloppy game against one of the worst teams in the NHL. This time around, the two will square off in Sunrise, Florida at the BB&T Center.
Both teams will look to backup goaltenders as they hope to notch up a victory Friday night. In what will be his third career NHL start between the pipes, Philipp Grubauer will be in net for the Capitals opposite Scott Clemmensen for the Panthers. Grubauer has played well for Washington in his three appearances since being called up from AHL Hershey Nov. 30 in lieu of Michal Neuvirth’s right ankle injury. Grubauer is 2-0-0 with a 1.36 goals-against-average and .959 save percentage in his small sample size this season and has played well when called upon as he is set to make his sixth career NHL appearance Friday. He earned his first career NHL win versus the New York Rangers Sunday in what was almost his first career shutout as well. The 22-year-old netminder also played well in relief of starter Braden Holtby in a 6-5 shootout victory Tuesday night in D.C. Clemmensen hasn’t been as fortunate going 0-2-1 with a 3.86 GAA and an .857 save percentage in just five appearances.
Washington will continue to roll with the same horses on the forward lines and defensive pairs as forward Brooks Laich continues to battle a groin injury that has caused him to miss seven-straight games. Laich has skated here and there, but it doesn’t appear as if he has the mindset, nor the physical ability to be reinserted into the lineup. Head coach Adam Oates elected for Laich not to travel with the team so he can focus on rest and rehabilitation, but one injured Capital made the trip and it appears as if his road to recovery has been expedited.
Defenseman John Erskine has been battling a left knee injury since his last game against the Calgary Flames Oct. 26. He’s appeared in just seven games this season, but his skating and exercise regimen has increased dramatically over the last few weeks. While he isn’t expected to take the ice tonight, Oates hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Erskine returning to the lineup at Verizon Center Sunday versus the Philadelphia Flyers.
The game itself is one the Capitals should handle with relative ease, but it’s games like these where players often get too complacent. Florida is tied for the third worst point total in the NHL at this stage of the 2013-14 season, but have some speed and youth where it counts. While the youth has shown a large portion of the time, the last tilt between these two clubs left the Capitals playing on their heels for most of the night. The Panthers controlled the puck possession, the Capitals were forced and pressed in their own zone and the focus simply wasn’t there on the Washington side of things.
Florida has won three of their last five, but the last time Clemmensen was in net, the result wasn’t so friendly as the Chicago Blackhawks dismantled the Panthers at the United Center Sunday night 6-2. Washington must continue to rely on their star power with Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom at the top, but good teams receive contributions from any and all lines. If all goes well, this can be a game where Oates can space out the ice time across the board and save up some energy for when the Flyers come to town Sunday afternoon.
Notes: Washington is five of their last six contests and are currently riding a three-game winning streak. In 31 games this season, the Capitals have allowed 30 or more shots 27 times. Backup goaltender Michal Neuvirth will likely start Saturday for Hershey vs. Binghamton and hasn’t been ruled out for returning to Washington Sunday.
