Breaking down potential Capitals round one opponents

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Ilya Samsonov, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Florida Panthers

The Washington Capitals could take the Florida Panthers in round one if they lock up the second wild card spot. The Panthers are 57-17-6 with 120 points, the top record and points in the NHL earning them the Presidents Trophy.

Folks we know all too well what happened when the Caps won the Presidents Trophy and if they draw the Panthers in round one, they’ll be the underdogs this time.

Jonathan Huberdeau leads the Panthers with 115 points and 85(!) assists to go along with 30 goals. Aleksander Barkov leads the Panthers in goals with 39 while adding 49 assists for 88 points.

Sergei Bobrovsky is their goaltender who’s 39-7-3 with a 2.67 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. That’s good but the Caps also know how to beat Bobrovsky in the playoffs, having done so in the first round of 2018. In 41 career playoff games, Bobrovsky is 13-23 with a 3.24 goals against average and a .899 save percentage.

The fact that Bobrovsky has yet to prove himself at this stage is one of the few encouraging signs for the Caps in a possible upset. Another is that the Caps have a much more physical edge against a high flying offensive team. As long as they play their game and don’t get too caught up in their speed, the Caps should be fine.

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