Washington Capitals Visit Florida Panthers: Facts And Figures

The Panthers don't have to worry about Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin, who is out serving a three game suspension for a dirty hit on the Pittsburgh Penguins Zbynek Michalek.

Last time the Caps were in town, each team sent out backup goaltenders, with the Caps featuring Michal Neuvirth, and the Panthers rolling out Scott Clemmensen. The Panthers won, 5-4.

Tonight's matchup may see the first meeting between Jose Theodore and Tomas Vokoun, who each played an extended duration with the other franchise. Vokoun shut out the Panthers in Washington back in October, 3-0 in his first meeting with his former club, but has never taken the ice in the Caps uniform in Sunrise.

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.

Team Milestones:

Panthers:

Wins: Scott Clemmensen's next win will give him 24, tying him in seventh all-time with Craig Anderson.

Games: Shawn Matthias will play in his 174th Panther game tonight, tying him in 46th with Branislav Mezei.

Goals: Jason Garrison's next goal will move him into a tie for 48th with Brett McLean with 21. Shawn Matthias' next goal will be his 24th, tying him in 46th with Dave Gagner. Mike Santorelli's 27th goal will move him into a tie for 42nd with Gary Roberts.

Capitals:

Games: Nick Schultz will play in his 347th Capitals game tonight, moving him into 38th past Alan Haworth. Mike Green moves into a tie for 33rd with his 377th game, with Rick Green. Brooks Laich plays in game number 523, passing the suspended Alex Ovechkin into 18th.

Goals: With his next goal, Mike Knuble moves into a tie in 46th with John Druce, with 57. Mike Green will move into a tie with Jaromir Jagr in 32nd with his 83rd goal. Jeff Halpern moves into tie for 27th with Bob Sirois, with his 92nd goal. Brooks Laich moves into a tie for 23rd with Craig Laughlin, with number 110. Alex Semin moves into seventh, passing Bob Carpenter with his 189th goal.

Assists: Jeff Halpern's next assist will be number 132, tying him in 32nd with Gaetan Duchesne. Alex Semin ties Sylvain Cote in 20th with his 195th assist.

Team Leaders:

Panthers:

Goals:

Kris Versteeg - 19

Tomas Fleischmann - 16

Stephen Weiss - 13

Assists:

Brian Campbell - 32

Stephen Weiss - 25

Kris Versteeg - 24

Points:

Kris Versteeg - 43

Stephen Weiss - 37

Tomas Fleischmann - 35

Plus/Minus:

Stephen Weiss, Kris Versteeg - plus-10

Jason Garrison - plus-five

Capitals:

Goals:

Alex Ovechkin - 20

Jason Chimera, Troy Brouwer - 14

Assists:

Nicklas Backstrom - 29

Dennis Wideman - 24

Alex Ovechkin - 19

Points:

Nicklas Backstrom - 42

Alex Ovechkin - 39

Dennis Wideman - 33

Plus/Minus:

Karl Alzner - plus-11

Joel Ward - plus-six

Jeff Halpern, Jason Chimera - plus-five