"The Washington Capitals entered Wednesday night with an opportunity to pull another step away from the Florida Panthers in what likely will be a close race for the NHL Southeast Division title.

Instead the Capitals demonstrated a lack of energy and focus in an important contest and fell, 4-2, to Florida in the latest example of what has become an alarming trend of futility on the road. This loss dropped Washington from the division lead to ninth place — out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Panthers hold a 57 to 56 lead in points over Washington and have won two of the three meetings between the teams this season."