NHL Game Preview: Florida Panthers (42-24-3) vs. Washington Capitals (46-15-8)

The Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals are set to face off at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET. This matchup features two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams, both vying for playoff positioning as the regular season nears its conclusion.

Team Overview

Florida Panthers (42-24-3)

• Current Form: The Panthers are coming off a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. Captain Aleksander Barkov scored the game-winner, marking his 19th goal of the season, while Sergei Bobrovsky recorded his fifth shutout of the year. Florida has won seven of their last 10 games, showcasing strong defensive play and timely scoring.
• Road Record: Florida has been solid on the road, posting a 20-14-1 record this season.
• Key Players:
  • Aleksander Barkov: Leads the team with 19 goals and 44 assists (63 points). Barkov has been clutch in recent games, including his overtime heroics against Columbus.
  • Matthew Tkachuk: A consistent offensive force with 50 points, Tkachuk adds grit and scoring depth.
  • Sam Reinhart: Has contributed 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists) in his last 10 games, providing valuable secondary scoring.
• Goaltending:
  • Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to start. Bobrovsky has been in stellar form, posting a 29-15-2 record, a 2.45 GAA, and a .908 save percentage. Over his last seven starts, he has a 5-2 record with a 1.30 GAA and a .943 save percentage.

Washington Capitals (46-15-8)

• Current Form: The Capitals are on a roll, having won eight of their last nine games, including a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Alex Ovechkin scored his 888th career goal, moving him within seven goals of tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record. Washington has already clinched a playoff spot and is tied with the Winnipeg Jets in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy.
• Home Record: Washington has been dominant at home, boasting a 23-7-6 record at Capital One Arena.
• Key Players:
  • Alex Ovechkin: The legendary winger has 35 goals this season, despite missing 16 games earlier in the campaign. Ovechkin has scored 45 goals in 73 career games against Florida.
  • Dylan Strome: Leads the team with 22 goals and 45 assists (67 points), providing consistent offensive production.
  • Tom Wilson: Has contributed 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in his last 10 games, adding physicality and scoring depth.
• Goaltending:
  • Logan Thompson is expected to start. Thompson has been excellent this season, with a 30-4-5 record, a 2.29 GAA, and a .917 save percentage. He has been solid against Florida, stopping 50 of 54 shots in their two previous meetings this season.

Head-to-Head Matchup

• Season Series: The Capitals lead the season series 2-0, outscoring the Panthers 10-4. Washington won 4-1 in Sunrise on November 25 and 6-3 at home on February 4.
• Historical Record: The Capitals have had the upper hand in recent years, with Ovechkin and their potent offense often proving too much for Florida to handle.
• Key Stats:
  • Florida averages 3.27 goals per game while allowing 2.88 goals per game.
  • Washington averages 3.6 goals per game, ranking first in the NHL, while conceding 2.44 goals per game.
  • The Panthers’ power play ranks 9th in the NHL (23.1%), while the Capitals’ penalty kill ranks 6th (83.2%).

Projected Lineups

Florida Panthers:

• Forwards:
  • Verhaeghe – Barkov – Reinhart
  • Tkachuk – Bennett – Duclair
  • Luostarinen – Lundell – Lomberg
  • Cousins – Staal – White
• Defense:
  • Forsling – Ekblad
  • Montour – Mahura
  • Gudas – Kulikov
• Goaltender: Sergei Bobrovsky (expected starter)

Washington Capitals:

• Forwards:
  • Ovechkin – Strome – Wilson
  • Milano – Kuznetsov – Oshie
  • Protas – Backstrom – Mantha
  • Dowd – Hathaway – Sheary
• Defense:
  • Carlson – Orlov
  • Jensen – Fehervary
  • Van Riemsdyk – Sandin
• Goaltender: Logan Thompson (expected starter)

Injury Report

Florida Panthers:

• Aaron Ekblad (day-to-day): Expected to play after missing the last game.
• Dmitry Kulikov (upper body): Questionable.

Washington Capitals:

• Nicklas Backstrom (illness): Expected to return after missing one game.
• John Carlson (lower body): Day-to-day.

Storylines to Watch

1. Ovechkin’s Chase for History: Alex Ovechkin is just seven goals away from tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record. Can he add to his total against a Florida team he has historically dominated?
2. Bobrovsky’s Hot Streak: Sergei Bobrovsky has been in elite form recently, and his performance will be critical in slowing down Washington’s high-powered offense.
3. Playoff Implications: While the Capitals have already clinched a playoff spot, the Panthers are battling for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, making this a must-win game for Florida.
4. Special Teams Battle: Both teams boast strong special teams, with Florida’s power play and Washington’s penalty kill likely to play pivotal roles.