Panthers Vs. Capitals Recap: Tomas Vokoun Shuts Out Former Team As Washington Cruises To 4-0 Win

The Florida Panthers relinquished first place in the Southeast Division on Monday night, as the Washington Capitals overwhelmed the Cats for a 4-0 shutout win. Tomas Vokoun stood on his head against his old team, shutting out of the Panthers for the second time this season. Florida badly outshot the Capitals, 42-24, but simply could not find the back of the net against Vokoun.

Washington set the tone early, jumping out to a one-goal lead just 13 seconds into the game. From there, it was all Vokoun and superstar Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin had his first multi-goal game of the season, adding a power play blast past Scott Clemmensen to make it 2-0 at the end of the first. He added his second goal at the end of the second period on a highlight-reel unassisted effort which made it 4-0. Florida could not convert two power play chances in the final period to make a game of it. They were 0 for 4 on the power play all night. They now trail Washington by one point in the division, and will host the LA Kings on Thursday night looking to get back on track.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Panthers, visit Litter Box Cats, SB Nation's Florida Panthers blog. For the opponent's perspective, visit Japers' Rink, SB Nation's Capitals. For all your hockey news, visit SB Nation's NHL news hub.

Florida Panthers Visit Washington Capitals: Injury Report And Starting Lineups

Florida Panthers:

Injuries:

Ed Jovanovski is recovering from hand surgery and may play again in mid-March. Scottie Upshall had a sports hernia surgery and should be back the second week of March. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom had knee surgery and is skating, but not expected back for at least three weeks. Dmitry Kulikov is rehabbingt a knee surgery and is out until March. Jack Skille is back out with a shoulder injury, but should be back soon. Marco Sturm is back on the DL, recovering from knee surgery.

Starting Lineup:

Forwards:

Tomas Fleischmann - Stephen Weiss - Kris Versteeg

Sean Bergenheim - Marcel Goc - Mikael Samuelsson

Mike Santorelli - Shawn Matthias - Tomas Kopecky

Matt Bradley - John Madden - Krys Barch

Defensemen:

Brian Campbell - Erik Gudbranson

Mike Weaver - Jason Garrison

Tyson Strachan - Keaton Ellerby

Goalie:

Scott Clemmensen (8-3-5) is likely to get the start, with Brian Foster the backup.

Washington Capitals:

Injuries:

Mike Green is recovering from a sports hernia and is skating again. Nicklas Backstrom is out indefinitely with a concussion. Brooks Laich is day-to-day with a knee injury. Tom Poti is out the rest of the season with a groin injury.

Starting Lineup:

Forwards:

Alex Ovechkin - Marcus Johansson - Troy Brouwer

Jason Chimera - Mathieu Perrault - Alexander Semin

Matt Hendricks - Jeff Halpern - Joel Ward

Keith Aucoin - Mike Knuble

Defensemen:

Karl Alzner - John Carlson

Jeff Schultz - Dennis Wideman

Roman Hamrlik - Dmitry Orlov

Goalies:

Tomas Vokoun (21-13-1) is confirmed as tonight's starter, with Michal Neuvirth (6-8-3) backing him up.

Florida Panthers Visit Washington Capitals: Facts And Figures

Common Thread:

Panthers first-line forward Tomas Flesichmann played 283 games for the Capitals over six seasons, scoring 60 goals and 78 assists with a minus-11 rating and 84 penalty minutes.

Panthers fourth line winger Matt Bradley played in 427 games over six seasons for the Capitals, scoring 37 goals and 59 assists with a minus-10 rating and 376 penalty minutes.

Panthers winger Marco Sturm played 18 games last season with Washington, scoring one goal and six assists with an even rating and six penalty minutes.

Panthers starting goaltender Jose Theodore played in 104 games over two seasons with the Capitals, racking up an impressive 62-24-12 record with a .905 save percentage and a 2.84 GAA.

Capitals starting goaltender Tomas Vokoun played 248 games over four seasons for the Panthers, compiling a 101-108-30 record with a .923 save percentage and a 2.57 GAA.

Capitals All-Star defenseman Dennis Wideman played in 61 games for Florida last season, scoring nine goals and 24 assists with an even rating and 16 penalty minutes.

Panthers Milestones:

Jason Garrison and Kris Versteeg are tied for 49th all-time with 20 goals. Brett McLean is in 48th with 21. Shawn Matthias is tied in 46th with Dave Gagner, with 24 goals. Mike Van Ryn sits in 45th, with 25. Mike Santorelli is in 44th, with 26 goals, one more will move him into a tie for 42nd with Mike Hough and Gary Roberts.

NHL Milestones:

Kris Versteeg plays in his 300th NHL game tonight.

Team Leaders:

Goals:

Kris Versteeg - 20

Tomas Fleischmann - 17

Stephen Weiss, Jason Garrison - 13

Assists:

Brian Campbell - 34

Stephen Weiss, Kris Versteeg - 25

Points:

Kris Versteeg - 45

Tomas Fleischmann, Stephen Weiss - 38

Plus/Minus:

Stephen Weiss - plus-8

Kris Versteeg - plus-7

Jason Garrison - plus-six

Florida Panthers Visit Washington Capitals: Game 52 Preview

The Panthers and the Capitals meet in Washington D.C. tonight in a skate off for the top spot in the Southeast Division.