Caps improve to 7-2 without Ovechkin



(J Pat Carter/AP)







Some morning links to get the day started:

*Caps 7, Panthers 3: Pretty much everybody scores as the Caps improve to 7-2 without Alex Ovechkin in the lineup. | Postgame wrap-up »

*Mike Wise: "If Alex Ovechkin listens to no one else, he needs to listen to Mike Knuble. If the NHL's most breathtaking player tunes out everyone but Knuble, he might actually be around for another decade or so."

*D.C. Sports Bog: Caps score more minus Ovie. What's the deal?

*Caps deflate Panthers' hopes. From the Sun Sentinel:

What little chance the Panthers had left of making the playoffs probably dissolved with Tuesday's blowout loss to the Capitals.

Of course, you could argue it wouldn't even matter if the Panthers grabbed that eighth spot.

That's because they'd face the top-seeded Capitals in the first round, and as this 7-3 thumping at BankAtlantic Center again showed, they're no match for the NHL's best team.

*"Redskins drop Dolphins in Sunrise." Nice. (On Frozen Pond)

*Game recaps and reactions from everyone on the Internet: Japers' Rink, Mike Vogel, RMNB, Ed Frankovic, Storming the Crease, Rock the Red, Examiner's Brian McNally, DC Landing Strip, Caps Blog.

Game highlights:

Our video recap of yesterday's suspension reactions in Florida:

*The most feared man in the game. (Peerless)

*From Ted's Take: Aw, shucks, they like us. | How dare you be anonymous?

*Boudreau: "The boards caused the damage." (Bog)

*Cory Stillman's insightful Ovie comments. (Bog)

Stay tuned for news and notes from Raleigh.