"The resurgent Panthers have waited nearly 11 years to be involved in a game with such significant playoff ramifications in February.

It took them just 13 seconds to take on their usual second-half role as patsies to the Southeast Division-leading bully Capitals who got two goals from their burly superstar Alexander Ovechkin en route to a 4-0 loss Tuesday night at the Verizon Center.

With their No. 1 goalie Jose Theodore sitting at home in South Florida rehabbing a lingering minor knee injury, former Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun easily bested his understudy of two seasons, Scott Clemmensen, who for the second game in a row couldn't overcome a shaky start in which he gave up two goals on the Caps' first three shots."