Panthers at Capitals

When/where: 7 p.m., Verizon Center, Washington TV: FSF Radio: 560-AM, 640-AM (Palm Beaches). Scouting report: A regular-season finale of no significance matches two teams in very different circumstances looking hopefully ahead: the Capitals to the playoffs, the Panthers to next season. The Capitals, who clinched their second consecutive Presidents’ Trophy, are eager to get on with trying to erase a decade of postseason futility that has seen them fail to advance past the second round during that time despite great success in the regular season. … For the Panthers, who have dropped a pair of 4-2 decisions to the Capitals, this will be the final game for Tom Rowe as interim coach as sources have confirmed he will not be retained in that role. Auditions for next season are underway, with rookie D-men Mackenzie Weegar and Ian McCoshen both in the lineup. … With Shawn Thornton playing his last game Saturday and not on the trip, the Panthers will play one forward short and dress seven defensemen. … Reto Berra is expected in goal after James Reimer played Saturday. … F Aleksander Barkov and Jussi Jokinen, D Aaron Ekblad and G Roberto Luongo are out. where we are. Obviously, I’ve known for a couple weeks now that the end was coming, so I’m just going to embrace it.

“I’ve got friends, family, a lot of people here. I’m just going to enjoy it.”

There were numerous signs of appreciation in the crowd with messages such as “We love you, Thorty,” and “Thanks for the memories.”

While Thornton’s future is already