The Washington Capitals are right back where they're comfortable: at the top of the Southeast Division. With their 3-2 overtime win over the Florida Panthers on Sunday, the Caps moved a point ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the division, although they do hold one game in hand of the Bolts.
Capitals Vs. Panthers: Washington Moves Back Into First Place With 3-2 Win Over Florida
Those two teams face off tonight in what should be a great game at St. Pete Times Forum. You would think, though, with that game looming in the backs of their minds, the Capitals would have struggled a bit with the lowly Panthers. As SB Nation’s Litter Box Cats said, the Panthers weren’t laughed out of the building by Washington.
That said, it was much more of the same on Sunday: the Panthers showed up, put a genuine scare into a Washington club on the precipice of retaking the SE lead, ultimately coming up short on the scoresheet. They were never dominated or outclassed - as was the case against the Habs; coach DeBoer had his boys once again playing to their strengths in a highly effective manner.
When push comes to shove, the Panthers just aren’t very good, but after a complete trade deadline dismantling, the Cats are all about moral victories these days. For the Capitals, they find themselves on the top of the Southeast again this Monday morning, but that likely won’t last long if they don’t kick it into another gear come 7 p.m.
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