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The Washington Capitals (19-11-7) are prepared to take on the Florida Panthers (17-10-9) on Sunday. The Washington Capitals are coming off a huge 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in the Winter Classic. Meanwhile, the Panthers are coming off a 2-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres. The Panthers went 7-4-3 in the month of December, while the Washington Capitals went 8-2-3. The last time the Washington Capitals and Panthers squared off, records were set as the Panthers won in a 20+ round shootout. The Washington Capitals own a 1-0-1 record against the Panthers this season and an all-time 59-36-9-9 record.
What better way to learn about the opposing team than asking an opposing blogger about them? I asked Todd Little from SB Nation‘s Litter Box Cats, their Florida Panthers blog, five questions about the Panthers. He was gracious enough to answer them for me.
Washington Capitals Vs. Florida Panthers: Know Your Enemy
Q: Who would you say has been the Panthers MVP this season? Who do you think is their most underrated player?
Todd: I’d have to give the MVP nod to Roberto Luongo. Luongo is playing at an all-star level and has given the low-scoring Cats a chance to win just about every game he’s started. You don’t hear a lot about him, but former Blue Jacket spark plug Derek MacKenzie has solidified the Panthers fourth line, won a lot of faceoffs, and been a big help to the team’s penalty kill. A very shrewd signing by GM Dale Tallon over the summer.
Me: Ha, funny you should mention Luongo. I think he’s been great as well. Braden Holtby and Luongo will both be a huge key to the Washington Capitals vs. Florida Panthers game, as I wrote here. MacKenzie has been quite solid for the Panthers too. The Washington Capitals have a similar player in Jay Beagle.
Q: The Panthers were expected to be in the Connor McDavid sweepstakes at the beginning of the season. Here we are on January 3rd with the Panthers in playoff contention. Why do you think they’ve been able to exceed everyone’s expectations? Do you think that they can stay in playoff contention?
Todd: The play of Luongo is probably the biggest reason why. First overall pick Aaron Ekblad being able to step right in and be a big-time contributor is another. Gerard Gallant‘s staff has improved the team’s
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penalty kill, which was awful last season, and the injury bug hasn’t bitten the team as hard as it has the past few seasons. The club’s enviable young core is maturing and the group of veterans leading them is better. The Panthers looked pretty strong in December, tying the franchise record for points in the month, so I expect them to stay in the hunt all season long. If they can get their power play to improve, just a little bit, I think they’ll make the postseason. if not, it’s going to be touch and go until the final days of the campaign.
Me: I agree with everything Todd said. I think it’s important to note as well that the Panthers outwork virtually every team on the ice. They match up well with the Washington Capitals because of this. Once their skill players develop, if they can keep that attitude, they could be deadly.
Q: The Panthers have a very solid young core with guys like Ekblad, Nick Bjugstad, Aleksander Barkov, and Jonathan Huberdeau. Do you think that core of guys can help change the Panthers’ fortunes?
Todd: Absolutely, they are already starting to do so. By the end of the season Ekblad could end up with the second best scoring season by an 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history. Bjugstad looks like he could lead the team in scoring for a second straight season. With 15 points in his last 22 games, Huberdeau looks to finally have shaken the sophomore slump, and Barkov, who doesn’t have a lot of points yet, but he gets tough minutes and is doing a lot of the little things that casual fans don’t notice.
Me: The Panthers sort of remind me of when the Washington Capitals first got Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin, and Mike Green. They were able to build around those guys. Obviously, the Panthers core isn’t quite that good, but that’s definitely a core that they should be able to build around. The one thing that they lack is an elite-level goal scorer. They have cap space, so that should help.
Q: Roberto Luongo has been nothing short of fantastic for the Panthers this season. He’s the dark horse Vezina candidate that no one talks about. Do you think he can keep up his stellar play?
Todd: I expect Luongo to give the Panthers the same quality goaltending he has provided since his return late last season from Vancouver the rest of the way. He seems very happy to be back in South Florida and shows no signs of wear and tear or age. He should be in the All-Star game and deserves serious consideration for Vezina. Luongo has been that good without a lot of goal support and a defense corps that still has a little ways to go.
Me: I wouldn’t be too surprised if Luongo won the Vezina, especially if the Panthers make the playoffs. However, he does have quite a ways to go to catch up to Rinne. On the other hand, Holtby has already proven how quickly a goalie can catch up to his competition.
Q: Willie Mitchell seems to be a bit of an odd pick for team captain. Do you think Mitchell is the right choice for team captain? Of the Panthers younger guys, who do you think will be the next team captain?
Todd: Yes, despite being new to the team Mitchell has turned out to be the right choice. He’s been good player for a long time, has a couple of Cup rings, and has no problem calling the team out when needed, which has been a problem in the past. Mitchell get the proper respect from the rest of room. As far as the next captain goes, look for it to be defenseman Erik Gudbranson. The club has seemingly been grooming him for the role for the last couple of seasons. If Mitchell earns another contract (unlikely, but you never know) Aaron Ekblad could become a contender.
Me: I think Mitchell has had the same effect that Brooks Orpik has had for the Washington Capitals. Both their contracts are going to be criticized no matter what, but you can’t put a price on what those two guys bring to the table.
The Washington Capitals and Panthers square off Sunday at 3:00 PM EST.