The Florida Panthers will be without Anton Lundell today in Washington, and the Capitals are rolling out the same lineup with Logan Thompson in goal.
Puck drop is still ahead, and the stakes are clearer than the standings suggest. Florida sits 11th in the NHL at 9-5-2 and fifth in the Atlantic, and it has won seven of its last 10.
NHL Rosters reported that Lundell won't play and is considered day-to-day.
That hurts a little. The center has 4 goals in 16 games, and his absence tests the depth Paul Maurice leans on when the top scorers get checked hard.
On the other side, RMNB relayed that Spencer Carbery confirmed no changes for the Capitals.
Washington has lost two straight, most recently a 6-5 decision against Dallas on Tuesday, and it is 21st in the NHL at 8-6-0. A team that stable in its lineup but shaky in results needs this one.
Florida comes in on a high after Wednesday's 5-3 win over Chicago. The road record of 5-3-2 is respectable, and the Panthers have already shown they can grind out games away from home.
Who decides Panthers vs Capitals
Start with Matthew Tkachuk carrying Florida into Washington. He leads the team with 22 points, and 18 of them are assists. He is the one setting the table.
Sam Reinhart is the finisher. He has 6 power-play goals among his 16 points, and he is 4 points shy of 700 for his career. If Washington takes penalties, he is the man to watch.
Seth Jones has quietly put together 19 points from the back end. With Lundell out, the blue line has to produce more offense than usual.
Washington's edge, if it has one, is Thompson. The Capitals have been scoring (49 goals so far), but they have also allowed 48, so the margin is thin.
Florida's goal differential is +5, Washington's is +1. Neither team separates itself on paper, which makes special teams and the crease the likely deciding factors.
Lundell's day-to-day tag leaves his next game unsettled, and Maurice will have to decide how to fill that center spot as the road schedule continues.
Quick hits
ST. LOUIS BLUESJoel Hofer gets the call in goal in Nashville today, per Lou Korac. A straightforward decision, and one the Blues need to cash in on.
DALLAS STARSBruce LeVine reports Jake Oettinger is in the crease against San Jose tonight. No surprise there, but a big night for the Stars to stay on track.
CAROLINA HURRICANESRod Brind'Amour says Alexander Nikishin makes his season debut tonight against the Blackhawks, according to Walt Ruff. That's a boost for a Hurricanes lineup hosting Chicago.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSNHL Rosters says the Maple Leafs recalled defenseman Artur Akhytamov from the Marlies on game day against the Canadiens. Something to watch on the back end.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKSConnor Bedard skated between Tyler Bertuzzi and Roman Kantserov at morning skate ahead of tonight's game in Carolina. A new look for a team searching for answers.
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