In a pivotal clash, the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, visit the Washington Capitals today, March 22, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena. This matchup not only bears significant weight in the context of the playoff race but also showcases a historical moment as Alex Ovechkin approaches Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goal record.
As the Panthers wrap up a challenging six-game road trip, they find themselves tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Atlantic Division lead. With the Tampa Bay Lightning lurking just two points behind, every game from here on out is critical. The Panthers possess a record of 42-24-3 and are looking to bounce back after losing two of their last three games prior to edging the Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0 in their last outing on Thursday.
On the other side, the Capitals have displayed remarkable form, having secured a playoff spot as the first team in the NHL to reach the 100-point mark this season. With an impressive 46-15-8 record, Washington currently holds a dominant 12-point lead in the Metropolitan Division. They’ve won eight of their last nine games, underlining their status as a formidable opponent.
Ovechkin, now at 888 career goals, needs only seven more to surpass Gretzky, making his pursuit a hot topic among fans and players alike. The 39-year-old veteran, despite having missed significant time this season due to injury, has continued to be the scoring leader for the Capitals, noted for his ability to thrive in key moments. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery acknowledged the positive atmosphere surrounding Ovechkin's chase for the record, stating, “I think there are tons of positives to it. Our guys feed off it on the bench, pulling for him. It energizes them to play at a higher level.”
As the Capitals prepare for the Panthers, containment of their top scorers will be essential. Although the Panthers are grappling with injuries—Matthew Tkachuk, Dmitry Kulikov, and Brad Marchand are all sidelined—their offensive power remains potent. Sam Reinhart leads the Panthers with 33 goals and 40 assists for 73 points, while Aleksander Barkov has contributed 19 goals and 44 assists this season.
The game takes on an added dimension as both teams vie for positioning heading into the late stages of the regular season. The Panthers, combining a high-ranking power play percentage (24.4%) with a tightly knit defensive unit, have consistently proven they can perform under pressure. “It was huge for us to execute on both sides of special teams [against Columbus],” said captain Barkov, reflecting on their winning formula.
Starting goaltenders play a significant role on game day. Sergei Bobrovsky returns for the Panthers after posting three consecutive shutouts, while Logan Thompson is expected in goal for the Capitals. Betting odds are nearly balanced with the forecast offering both teams at a moneyline of -110, despite the Capitals being 1.5-goal favorites.
This marks the Panthers’ last chance to avoid a season sweep by the Capitals, who have won all prior matchups this season, including a decisive 6-3 victory in February and a 4-1 win in November. As the Panthers sought to adjust from their previous losses against Washington, head coach Paul Maurice expressed confidence in his team’s efforts in those contests, stating, “I think we’ve played pretty well in there.”
The intensity of today’s matchup is further amplified by the geographical rivalry, with both teams historically competing strongly against one another. The Capitals, buoyed by Ovechkin's scoring chase, look to protect their home ice, facing a Panthers team eager to assert themselves as they prepare for yet another playoff run.
With playoff positioning and Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s record at stake, fans can expect a highly competitive atmosphere this evening at Capital One Arena. For those unable to catch it in person, the game will be broadcast on local and national networks, ensuring that supporters don’t miss a minute of the action.
As the 2025 NHL Season progresses, every game remains critical. The battle for playoff seeding is heating up, and with star players shining brightly on both teams, today’s matchup promises to be a highlight reel moment in the ongoing narrative of the season.
