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(Sports Network) - The Florida Panthers would like to improve their slim playoff hopes by posting a third straight victory tonight, when they welcome the struggling Washington Capitals to BankAtlantic Center.

The Panthers have 80 points on the year and are six behind Tampa Bay and Montreal for the final two postseason slots in the Eastern Conference.

Florida earned its second consecutive victory on Wednesday, as they slipped by Atlanta, 3-2. Craig Anderson made 33 saves in his first start for the Panthers, then came up with some big stops in the shootout to lift Florida to the home triumph.

Jozef Stumpel had a goal and an assist in regulation and also lit the lamp in the shootout for Florida, which was coming off Tuesday's 5-2 win in Tampa.

Anderson, who played parts of four seasons with Chicago prior to this year, was between the pipes to give Ed Belfour a much-deserved rest. The 41-year-old Belfour had started the last 27 games for Florida to set a franchise record.

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