Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals: 7 February 2012

My buddy had an extra ticket to Tuesday's Panthers game in DC, so I jumped on it. Terrific night to go to the Verizon Center. The crowds at the Iron Horse, our pre-game bar, were pretty light. So we could catch up without jockeying between jersey fouls for a beer. Once the game started, it was a study on everything that could go right for the Caps:

• the starting line of Chimera-Perreault-Semin scored right off the bat
• Vokoun was sharp all night
• Clemmensen was not
• Ovechkin power play goal, yes please
• Alzner and Carlson played well when paired together
• Laich won 87.5% of his faceoffs essentially playing on one leg

It wasn't perfect - allowing 42 shots against can't be explained away by holding a lead for 59 minutes - but it's always nice to see a dominating win. Games at the VC are always enjoyable, and the win obviously makes it more so. Plus, the barbecue place on the 200 level was outstanding, those braided pretzels are to die for.

One thing that stuck out to me is how well both Chimera and Johansson skate. You see it on television, and you notice. But seeing it live is something else altogether. With Chimera extended through the 2013-14 season, it's easy to see how those two can make up the majority of a dangerous third line moving forward. Of course for that to happen, Nick Backstrom needs to come back healthy and effective as the first line center, and general manager George McPhee must bring in a legitimate second line center. Where have I heard that latter part before? Oh right, each of the last three summers.

Still not optimistic about this team's playoff chances (if they make it) but it was refreshing to see a complete sixty-minute game from the Caps, especially while Backstrom and Green are still on the shelf.