Game Day: Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals

Literally on his last chance in life, Big Bird's formerly gin-soaked cousin Federico gives it one more go on the straight and narrow.

Cats @ Caps, 7p - Verizon Center, FSN-FL (HD!)

Panthers: 25-18-8 58P, 2nd in SE Islanders: 33-16-4 70P, 1st in SE

LAST 10: FLA: 6-2-2 WAS: 6-3-1

HOME & AWAY: FLA (A): 12-12-3 WAS (H): 21-4-1

GAME 2 of 6 SEASON SERIES: 1-0 FLA

ALL-TIME: 36-36-9

The Cats - hanging of so dearly to the final spot in the East - begin a rigorous stretch which sees them taking on some of the best in the conference over the next few weeks. It bgins tonight in D.C. against a Capitals club looking to well, pad their point total. A big night in the NHL, with some inevitable shifting in the standings.

It's going to take more than hoping Ovie lays down on the job for the Panthers to steal a victory from the Caps. But I am hoping.

This is the first game between the two clubs since early December, when the Cats were beginning to pull out of their annual slump.

LITTER BOX LINERS

Look Norman...not only have the loons returned, but Richard Zednik is simply hot!

• Miami Herald: "Nightmare stretch" coming for Cats, Blog:Richards
• Sun-Sentinel: Cats coverage
• Palm Beach Post: Nuthin.
• Washington Times: Caps coverage
• Washington Post: Membership. Screw 'em.
• AP via NHL.com: game preview
• Capitals' staff game preview (now THAT'S a preview)
• AccuScore via The Sporting News
• Panthers website
• Capitals website

FROM THE BLOGOSPHERE

• Cat Scratch (FLA)
• Panthers on the Prowl (FLA)
• Japers' Rink (WAS), an SBNation blog
• On Frozen Blog (WAS)
• Capitals' Kremlin (WAS)

THE WARMUP

Matt Bradley and Tanner Glass discuss opposite ends of the Parking and Concession revenues debate, November 15, 2007.