Panthers open three-game road trip against Capitals in Washington matinee
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
The Florida Panthers visit the Washington Capitals on Nov. 7 at 12:30 p.m. for Game No. 17.
Florida is without Barkov and Marchand, so its new top line carries the offense.
Background
The Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals are NHL teams meeting in Washington, DC, in the first of a three-game Panthers road trip. Florida is mid-pack at 3.25 goals per game and would hold a wild-card spot if the season ended today, while Washington sits in the top half of the league in offense but has lost two straight. The Panthers are missing Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand to knee injuries, which has pushed Sam Reinhart to center a line with Sandis Vilmanis and Carter Verhaeghe. Washington leads the all-time regular-season series 70-49-14 with 9 ties, and the teams meet again Nov. 27 and Feb. 3.
How it unfolded
- Dec 29, 2025The Panthers beat the Capitals 5-3 at Amerant Bank Arena, with Sam Reinhart scoring twice.
- Nov 4, 2026Florida beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3; the line of Sandis Vilmanis, Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe combined for four goals and nine points.
- Nov 6, 2026Washington practiced after losing two straight to the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars, with Martin Fehervary back from a maintenance day.
- Nov 6, 2026Florida practiced in Fort Lauderdale before flying to Washington; coach Paul Maurice said the team's next practice is not until Nov. 19.
- Nov 7, 2026Florida opens a three-game road trip at Capital One Arena in Washington at 12:30 p.m., its 17th game of the season.
Key terms
- wild-card spot
- An invitation to a tournament given to a player who did not qualify through normal ranking or entry.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said Fehervary "will be good to go" and does not expect Florida to let off the gas despite missing Barkov and Marchand.
- Official
- Panthers coach Paul Maurice called the Vilmanis-Reinhart-Verhaeghe line "our first line tonight" and said they "were good at both ends."
- Expert
- Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola said the matinee start is "prime time in Finland," making it easier for friends and family to watch.
Still unverified
Panthers lineup changes for the game were not planned "as of now," with Maurice saying "We'll see."