The Panthers will face an old friend on Tuesday as Tomas Vokoun makes his fourth start for the Capitals. Vokoun spent four seasons with the Panthers but left after rejecting the team's offer of three seasons worth more than $8 million.
Vokoun signed a one-year deal with the Caps worth $1.5 million and is 3-0 so far.
On Monday, Vokoun told The Washington Post that Tuesday's game wasn't all that special to him since the Panthers have changed so much. Of the 20 players who suited up for Florida's season opener, 14 were not there for the 2010-11 opener in Edmonton.
“It’s not the team I played for,” Vokoun told The Post. “There’s only a few guys left. .-.-. Obviously I wish them the best, except for when we play them. That’s normal.”
-- The Panthers won three of six against Washington in 2010-11, including a 1-0 decision in the season finale.
That was Vokoun's final shutout as a member of the Panthers and Pete DeBoer's final game as coach.
TUESDAY: PANTHERS AT CAPITALS
Where, When: Verizon Center, Washington; 7 p.m.
TV/Radio: FSN; WQAM-560
Series: Capitals lead 48-41-9
The game: This is the 99th meeting between the Southeast Division rivals. Former Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun will be in net for the Caps; Jacob Markstrom is expected to get his first NHL start for the Panthers. Defenseman Keaton Ellerby could also see his first game action of the 2011-12 season as well.
Hey! We have a playoff spot right now. A win tonight and we'll tie the mighty Ovi for 1st or 2nd place in the East :)
Posted by: Downtowner | October 18, 2011 at 07:52 AM
I'd be happy with 1 point up there in DC...
GO CATS!
Posted by: Tallon Rulz | October 18, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Vokoun is right, we are not the same team that he played for and its for the better. He chose, or at least his agent did, not to be part of this team. He was looking for a bigger paycheck as well as being the full time goalie for a playoff team and he didn't find it. He left exactly what he was looking for. Now we are a real threat and should be for the future with the amount of depth we have through the team and organization. He knew his time was coming to an end with Markstrom knocking on the door. He was hoping to get the Bryzgolov deal with either Philly or Colorado but it never materialized. Personally I hope he and the caps fall from being a consistent contender as we blow by them.
Posted by: Ad1zzl3 | October 18, 2011 at 11:44 AM
You're crazy if you think this early season sucess will carry throughout the sweason. Kudo's for having a few good games but both Florida and Colorado alike will falter very soon. I'd love to see 3-4 southeast teams in the playoffs but I think it'll be 3 and one of these will not be Florida... Maybe you'll be able to dust of the plastic rats in a couple years.
Posted by: Sorry Panthers | October 18, 2011 at 02:25 PM
I am not pounding my chest at all 4 games in...but, holy schnikes it is great to see EXCITING hockey again. Home opener sounded like a Canadian playoff game on TV. Hope this keeps up. Don't get me wrong, I really like Gudbranson, but does any one else get the feeling that teams are planning on teaching the "cocky 19 year old" a lesson?
Posted by: Eric | October 18, 2011 at 02:57 PM