Washington @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 1, 2019 ) Washington 3, Florida 5

The Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals look to extend their point streak to 10 games and continue producing goals at high rate when they visit the surging Florida Panthers on Thursday night. The Capitals have won four in a row and are 8-0-1 during their point streak while scoring at least three goals in 13 consecutive games - four or more in 10 of 12 - after a 4-2 win over Calgary on Sunday.

“I think every line is contributing,” Washington center Lars Eller told reporters. “We can get goals from defensemen, too. Every time we’re on the ice we feel like there’s five guys that can score. A lot of guys are feeling good about themselves so it’s very positive for us.” Capitals coach Todd Reirden said the performance against Calgary was close to the team’s identity and Washington will need that type of effort to snap a five-game losing streak versus Florida, which has at least a post in 10 of its last 11 contests (6-1-4). The Panthers blanked Detroit 4-0 at home on Saturday after a 2-1-1 road trip and left wing Jonathan Huberdeau recorded four of his team-leading nine goals in the last two contests. “It’s amazing,” Florida captain Aleksander Barkov (17 points) told reporters. “We love winning, and the atmosphere here in the locker room after the game is the best thing you can have in hockey. … We’re a confident group, and we love working for each other.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, FS Florida

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (11-2-3): Forward Jakub Vrana followed up a two-goal performance with a hat trick in Sunday’s victory and has scored six times while setting up three others during a five-game point streak. “I’m not that surprised,” Eller told reporters. “He has it in him. I don’t expect him to score three every night but he’s got that kind of talent that he can do that once in a while.” John Carlson set a franchise record for points in a month by defenseman with 23 (seven goals, 16 assists) in October, but has come up empty in the first two games of November despite six shots against Calgary.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (7-3-4): Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 22 shots for his first shutout in a Florida uniform Saturday and has gained at least a point in nine of 11 decisions (6-2-3) despite an .882 save percentage. Center Vincent Trocheck (lower body), who is making progress after missing the last six games, and versatile forward Noel Acciari (pulled muscle) reportedly missed practice Tuesday and forward Dominic Toninato was recalled. Defenseman Mike Matheson (one assist, nine games) is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday after missing the past five contests with an undisclosed injury.

OVERTIME

1. Florida D Keith Yandle has recorded four of his seven assists in his last three contests.

2. Washington G Braden Holtby is 5-0-1 with a .923 save percentage in his last six games after a slow start..

3. The Capitals entered Wednesday fourth in the league on the power play (25.9 percent) while the Panthers are 10th (21.9).

PREDICTION: Capitals 4, Panthers 2