One of the league's most exciting teams will take center stage in the NHL playoffs this season as the Panthers square off against the Capitals in the first round of the postseason. Florida finished with the best record in the NHL, going 58-18-6 en route to the top seed in the East and the Presidents' Trophy. It owns the most dangerous offense in the league and is looking for the franchise's first playoff series win since 1996. On the other side is a Capitals team that has mostly been forgotten about in a loaded Eastern Conference. They ended the season as the second wild-card team and are looking for their first playoff series win since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. The biggest news heading into this series is the status of Alex Ovechkin and Aaron Ekblad. The Capitals captain during the final week of the regular season and did not skate in any of Washington's last three games. Ovechkin skated Sunday and appears to be in line to play in Game 1, but it's unclear if he's 100 percent healthy. Ekblad has been out since in March. After not being expected to be ready for the playoffs, the Panthers defenseman practiced in full Sunday and coach Andrew Brunette said he will suit up for Game 1. MORE: The series begins with Game 1 on Tuesday, May 3. Here's everything you need to know about the matchup between the Panthers and Capitals. Key storyline: Will the Panthers' run-and-gun offense work in the playoffs? Florida plays an offense-first, defense-second style. It has one of the deepest forward groups in the league, with Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksandar Barkov leading the way. The Panthers were the only team this season to average more than four goals a game, ending the regular season with an average of 4.18. It's an extremely difficult group to defend; it uses Kevin Durant Jersey speed to constantly attack off the rush. Historically, that style of play hasn't worked well in the postseason. The saying "Defense wins championships" is quite true, and the NHL is no exception. The Avalanche and Oilers have had dynamic offenses in recent years, but that succe s didn't translate to the postseason. It's a storyline to watch not just for this series, but all of the Florida's stay in the 2022 playoffs. Going against a Washington team with an average defense and potentially lacking its star offensive player, the Panthers certainly are in position to get away with it and win this series by outscoring the Capitals. Panthers vs. Capitals schedule, TV channels (All times Eastern) Date Site Time (ET) TV Tue., May 3 at Florida 7:30 p.m. ESPN2, SN360, TVA Sports Thu. May 5 atFlorida 7:30 p.m. TBS, SN360, TVA Sports Sat., May 7 atWashington 1 p.m. ESPN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports Mon. May 9 at Washington 7 p.m. TBS, SN1, TVA Sports *Wed., May 11 at Florida TBD TBD *Fri., May 13 at Washington TBD TBD *Sun., May 15 at Florida TBD TBD *If nece sary Panthers vs. Capitals odds Panthers: -313 Capitals: +233 Odds provided by MORE: Panthers vs. Capitals prediction As much skepticism as there is about the Panthers' style of play, it does work. For how long, we're not sure, but against the Capitals I think it will. Washington's lack of a true No. 1 goalie makes for a bad matchup. The Panthers will have their way, and while the Caps can steal a game at home, I don't see this series going beyond five games. Prediction: Panthers in five. Nathaniel Thurmond Jersey
One of the league's most exciting teams will take center stage in the NHL playoffs this season as the Panthers square off against the Capitals in the first round of the postseason. Florida finished with the best record in the NHL, going 58-18-6 en route to the top seed in the East and the Presidents' Trophy. It owns the most dangerous offense in the league and is looking for the franchise's first playoff series win since 1996. On the other side is a Capitals team that has mostly been forgotten about in a loaded Eastern Conference. They ended the season as the second wild-card team and are looking for their first playoff series win since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. The biggest news heading into this series is the status of Alex Ovechkin and Aaron Ekblad. The Capitals captain during the final week of the regular season and did not skate in any of Washington's last three games. Ovechkin skated Sunday and appears to be in line to play in Game 1, but it's unclear if he's 100 percent healthy. Ekblad has been out since in March. After not being expected to be ready for the playoffs, the Panthers defenseman practiced in full Sunday and coach Andrew Brunette said he will suit up for Game 1. MORE: The series begins with Game 1 on Tuesday, May 3. Here's everything you need to know about the matchup between the Panthers and Capitals. Key storyline: Will the Panthers' run-and-gun offense work in the playoffs? Florida plays an offense-first, defense-second style. It has one of the deepest forward groups in the league, with Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksandar Barkov leading the way. The Panthers were the only team this season to average more than four goals a game, ending the regular season with an average of 4.18. It's an extremely difficult group to defend; it uses Kevin Durant Jersey speed to constantly attack off the rush. Historically, that style of play hasn't worked well in the postseason. The saying "Defense wins championships" is quite true, and the NHL is no exception. The Avalanche and Oilers have had dynamic offenses in recent years, but that succe s didn't translate to the postseason. It's a storyline to watch not just for this series, but all of the Florida's stay in the 2022 playoffs. Going against a Washington team with an average defense and potentially lacking its star offensive player, the Panthers certainly are in position to get away with it and win this series by outscoring the Capitals. Panthers vs. Capitals schedule, TV channels (All times Eastern) Date Site Time (ET) TV Tue., May 3 at Florida 7:30 p.m. ESPN2, SN360, TVA Sports Thu. May 5 atFlorida 7:30 p.m. TBS, SN360, TVA Sports Sat., May 7 atWashington 1 p.m. ESPN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports Mon. May 9 at Washington 7 p.m. TBS, SN1, TVA Sports *Wed., May 11 at Florida TBD TBD *Fri., May 13 at Washington TBD TBD *Sun., May 15 at Florida TBD TBD *If nece sary Panthers vs. Capitals odds Panthers: -313 Capitals: +233 Odds provided by MORE: Panthers vs. Capitals prediction As much skepticism as there is about the Panthers' style of play, it does work. For how long, we're not sure, but against the Capitals I think it will. Washington's lack of a true No. 1 goalie makes for a bad matchup. The Panthers will have their way, and while the Caps can steal a game at home, I don't see this series going beyond five games. Prediction: Panthers in five. Nathaniel Thurmond Jersey