Gameday: vs. Florida, Apr. 6

Ovechkin and the Caps clinched the Southeast last night.

The Washington Capitals will welcome the Florida Panthers to Verizon Center tonight for their second game in two nights and the first of a home-and-home with the Cats to close out their regular season.  After winning in Toronto last night, the Capitals have clinched the Southeast Division and are two points up on the Flyers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, with both teams having played 80 games.  The Panthers come into tonight's game last in the Southeast Division and fifteenth in the Eastern Conference with 70 points in 79 games played, and they lost to the Penguins 4-2 their last time out.  This will be the fifth of six meetings between these two teams this season; the Capitals are 2-1-1 against them this season.

Florida coach Peter DeBoer is expected to give the starting nod to Scott Clemmensen in the Panthers' net, as Tomas Vokoun is out with a back injury. Clemmensen made 30 saves in his last game out and has eight wins, a 2.51 GAA, a .915 Save%, and a shutout in 29 games.  On the injury front, Florida is likely to be without top center Stephen Weiss, who has a groin injury.  He could play, however, and bring his 49 points with him.

Semyon Varlamov is likely to get the call tonight as Michal Neuvirth played last night.  The young Russian stopped 24 of 26 his last time out, and on the season Varlamov has ten wins, a 2.24 GAA and .923 Save% to go along with two shutouts in 26 games.  Outside the crease, the Capitals will likely be without the services of Tom Poti (groin), but could see both Mike Green (concussion) and Alexander Semin (undisclosed) return to the lineup.  If Gree returns, look for Sean Collins or Tyler Sloan to be healthy scratches on the back end, although it is anyone's guess who will sit if Semin comes back.  DJ King and Jay Beagle will likely be scratches regardless.

Puck drops for this 7:08-ish.  Check back for updates from the morning skate and meeting.