3 Keys: Capitals at Panthers, Game 2 of Eastern First Round

(WC2) Capitals at (1A) Panthers
7:30 p.m. ET; TBS, SN360, TVAS2, BSFL, NBCSWA
Washington leads best-of-7 series 1-0

The Florida Panthers are determined to rebound against the Washington Capitals in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference First Round at FLA Live Arena on Thursday after losing 4-2 in Game 1 on Tuesday.
The Panthers reviewed what they need to do better and adjust from their play in Game 1, but they are trying to maintain their perspective and not dwell too much on one game in what they expect to be a long series.
"That's very important," Panthers forward Claude Giroux said. "It's definitely hard when you lose a game, and you've got to move on and you got to keep going. They've got to win three more times to move on, so for us it's focus on Game 2 and Game 1 is done with and let's get back on track."
Florida set a team record with 58 wins and 122 points, and scored an NHL-leading 4.11 goals per game on its way to winning the Presidents' Trophy as the League's top team during the regular season. So the Capitals expect strong response from the Panthers on Thursday.
"We feel like we can win games, but in the same sense there's always that check of your opponent and who you're playing," Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said. "We knew where they were before they started the series and we still know today, even though we won Game 1, they're the Presidents' (Trophy) champ and 122 points, and they can score goals. So we've got to be on point with our game."
Florida will tweak its lineup for Game 2; Sam Reinhart will move up to replace Giroux at right wing on the second line with Jonathan Huberdeau and Sam Bennett, and Giroux will take Reinhart's place on the third line with Mason Marchment and Anton Lundell. In addition, Noel Acciari will replace Ryan Lomberg at left wing on the fourth line after being a healthy scratch for Game 1.
But the main thing the Panthers want to change is their execution.
"Everyone has got to be a little better and a little more sharp in the little details of the game," Florida forward Carter Verhaeghe said. "But we can't change too much. We've been a great team all year and we're going to stick with what made us successful."
Teams that take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-7 NHL playoff series hold an all-time record of 337-52 (86.6 percent), including an 84-20 (80.8 percent) mark when starting the series on the road.
Here are three keys for Game 2:

1. Wilson, where are you?

Forward Tom Wilson won't play for the Capitals and is day to day after lhe left Game 1 with a lower-body injury. With Wilson out, rookie Brett Leason will make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut, but replacing Wilson will take a team effort.
Wilson set NHL career-highs with 24 goals, 28 assists and 52 points in 78 games during the regular season and scored Washington's first goal in Game 1. Wilson's 240 hits were second among Capitals forwards, behind Garnet Hathaway (250).
"You can't replace Tom," Washington forward T.J. Oshie said. "Especially in playoffs, he is one of our most important players because of his ability to play physical, his ability to score big goals like he did (Tuesday). His ability to penalty kill, power play, he is just a guy you cannot replace. Not only that, but his presence in the room is very influential to our team."

2. Don't get stuck in neutral

The Panthers' trouble negotiating the Capitals' neutral-zone structure prevented them from generating speed and getting into the offensive zone cleanly for much of Game 1, and neutral-zone turnovers led to two Washington goals in the third period. Making better decision with the puck between the blue lines will be essential for Florida in Game 2.

3. Be special

The Capitals had the advantage on special teams in Game 1, getting a power-play goal from Wilson and holding Florida to three shots on goal and no goals on its two power plays. The Panthers considered switching to a five-forward alignment on the power play for Game 2, but it appears they'll continue with defenseman Aaron Ekblad running the point on the first unit, at least to begin the game.
"I think you're always looking to adjust," Florida coach Andrew Brunette said. "It's one game. I thought parts of it we did pretty well. But we have the option to go with five forwards if need be. We'll kind of make those decisions as we go."

Capitals projected lineup

Alex Ovechkin -- Evgeny Kuznetsov -- Conor Sheary
Marcus Johansson -- Nicklas Backstrom -- T.J. Oshie
Anthony Mantha -- Lars Eller -- Garnet Hathaway
Johan Larsson -- Nic Dowd -- Brett Leason
Martin Fehervary -- John Carlson
Dmitry Orlov -- Nick Jensen
Trevor van Riemsdyk -- Justin Schultz
Vitek Vanecek
Ilya Samsonov
Scratched: Connor McMichael, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, Matt Irwin, Michal Kempny, Zach Fucale
Injured: Carl Hagelin (left eye), Tom Wilson (lower body)

Panthers projected lineup

Carter Verhaeghe -- Aleksander Barkov -- Anthony Duclair
Jonathan Huberdeau -- Sam Bennett -- Sam Reinhart
Mason Marchment -- Anton Lundell -- Claude Giroux
Noel Acciari -- Eetu Luostarinen -- Patric Hornqvist
MacKenzie Weegar -- Aaron Ekblad
Gustav Forsling -- Radko Gudas
Ben Chiarot -- Brandon Montour
Sergei Bobrovsky
Spencer Knight
Scratched: Petteri Lindbohm, Joe Thornton, Lucas Carlsson, Maxim Mamin, Robert Hagg, Jonas Johansson, Ryan Lomberg
Injured: Markus Nutivaara (undisclosed)

Status report

Leason was recalled from Hershey of the American Hockey League on Thursday.