Dave Poulin

Opponent: Florida PanthersSite: USAir Arena, LandoverTime: 7:35TV: NoneRadio: WMAL (630 AM)Tickets: 900 availableOutlook: With its 2-1 victory at Florida on Thursday, the Capitals beat the Panthers for the first time this season and edged ahead by two points in the Eastern Conference standings. Don Beaupre, whose goals-against average is 2.15 his past eight games, will be in net again, as Rick Tabaracci recovers from a knee strain. The Caps are unbeaten in eight of their past nine games. Washington C Dave Poulin (asthma)

Opponent: Florida PanthersSite: USAir Arena, LandoverTime: 8TV/Radio: HTS/WMAL (630 AM)Outlook: Washington (16-15-7) is in the midst of a three-game losing streak and needs a win as it tries to hold onto sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The Panthers (14-18-5) are four points behind eighth-place Hartford in the battle for the last playoff spot. Washington's rookie goaltender, Jim Carey is 13-5-2 with a 1.94 goals-against average. The Panthers are expected to start John Vanbiesbrouck, 10-11-3 with a 2.47 GAA. Florida reports D Randy Moller (knee ligament strain)

VS. BOSTON BRUINS* WHEN: Tonight, 7:35.* WHERE: Capital Centre.* TV/RADIO: HTS; WCAO-AM 600.VS. HARTFORD WHALERS* WHEN: Tomorrow, 7:35.* WHERE: Hartford Civic Center.* TV/RADIO: Channel 20; WCAO-AM 600.* OUTLOOK: The Capitals (15-5) finally lost one Wednesday -- and it even took overtime for New Jersey to win 6-5. Before that, they had won four in a row and seven of eight. Despite playing 12 of their first 20 games on the road, the Caps have the best record in the NHL and lead the league in scoring with 101 goals.

LANDOVER -- Score one for the power of positive thinking.Ever since being coaxed away from a cushy television job and back into coaching three months ago, Jim Schoenfeld has preached to his Washington Capitals that they're a lot better team than they give themselves credit for.Some believed him right from the start. Any straggling non-believers joined the encounter group last night as the Caps were completing the destruction of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the NHL playoffs.

LANDOVER -- For most of the regular season, the Washington Capitals didn't play very good defense, but these are the Eastern Conference quarterfinals and the Pittsburgh Penguins are learning two lessons.Lesson one, as stated by Pittsburgh goalie Tom Barrasso:"Any team can play good defense in the playoffs. All it takes is commitment."Lesson two, as stated by Washington coach Jim Schoenfeld:"Any defense in the NHL can be made to make mistakes if enough pressure is applied."In Game 4 of this best-of-seven series, the Capitals continued their commitment to team defense and overcame a strong performance Barrasso for a 4-1 victory.

LANDOVER -- For most of the regular season, the Washington Capitals didn't play very good defense, but these are the Eastern Conference quarterfinals and the Pittsburgh Penguins are learning two lessons.Lesson one, as stated by Pittsburgh goalie Tom Barrasso:"Any team can play good defense in the playoffs. All it takes is commitment."Lesson two, as stated by Washington coach Jim Schoenfeld:"Any defense in the NHL can be made to make mistakes if enough pressure is applied."In Game 4 of this best-of-seven series, the Capitals continued their commitment to team defense and overcame a strong performance Barrasso for a 4-1 victory.