NHL Game Preview: Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals with Line Combinations 3/22/2025

Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals

Venue: Capital One Arena
Date: Saturday, March 22
Time: 5:00 pm EST
TV: ESPN+/SCRI/MNMT
Radio:
Florida – AM 560 Sports WQAM / 1230 WBZT / WCTH-FM 100.3
Washington – WJFK 106.7 FM / WFED 1500 AM

DraftKings Sportsbook Betting Lines:

Florida -1.5 ML -115
Washington  +1.5 ML -105
O/U 5.5

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Florida Panthers News & Notes:

The Panthers snapped a two-game losing streak with a 1-0 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. They improved to 6-3-0 in March and are averaging 2.3 goals per game while allowing 1.4 goals per game. Aleksander Barkov scored the lone goal on Thursday and now has goals in back-to-back games. 

Washington Capitals News & Notes:

The Capitals picked up their third straight win on Thursday with a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. They are now 8-2-0 in March and averaging 3.7 goals per game and are allowing 2.4 goals per game. Alex Ovechkin enters tonight’s game just seven goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s goal record. He is also on a three game point streak recording two goals and two assists in that stretch. 

Florida Panthers Projected Lines:

Verhaeghe-Barkov-Reinhart
Samoskevich-Bennett-Rodrigues
Luostarinen-Lundell-Boqvist
Greer-Sturm-Gadjovich

Forsling-Jones
Mikkola-Bjornfot
Balinskis-Schmidt

Bobrovsky
Vanecek

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Washington Capitals Projected Lines:

Ovechkin-Dubois-Protas
McMichael-Strome-Wilson
Mangiapane-Eller-Raddysh
Duhaime-Dowd-Beauvillier

Sandin-Carlson
Chychrun-van Riemsdyk
Fehervary-Roy

Thompson
Lindgren

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Players To Watch:

Florida Panthers

Sam Bennett this season has 45 points on 22 goals and 23 assists. He’s faced the Capitals 16 times in his career recording six points on two goals and four assists; in two meetings this season he’s scored a goal and added two assists. 

Washington Capitals

Lars Eller this season 21 points on ten goals and 11 assists. He’s faced the Panthers 42 times in his career recording 23 points on ten goals and 13 assists; in the two meetings this season he’s recorded three goals. 

Injury Report:

Florida Panthers

LW Matthew Tkachuk – IR
C Brad Marchand – Out
D Aaron Ekblad – Out (Suspension)
D Dmitry Kulikov – Out

Washington Capitals

LW Sonny Milano – IR
RW TJ Oshie – LTIR
C Nicklas Backstrom – LTIR

Next game:

Florida – March 23 vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington – March 25 at Winnipeg Jets

ITR 30: Down The Stretch – Inside The Rink

Join Conrad and Chris as they discuss the NHL General Managers Meetings, Connor Bedard's antics, Mikko Rantanen returning to Colorado, Gabriel Landeskog resumes skating with the team, Ovechkin's Gr8 Chase, and NHL Playoff updates.

1. ITR 30: Down The Stretch 59:42
2. ITR 29: Trade Deadline Review 01:02:40
3. ITR 28: Deadline Week 44:07
4. ITR 27: Trade Season Begins 01:07:33
5. ITR 26: 2 Nations Fighting 42:17