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Idle thoughts at Intermission: from the Caps’ media pros: Bruce Boudreau’s 14 victories in his first 25 games are the most for any coach in Capitals’ history. Wow. Among those who had 13 victories in their first 25 games were Ron Wilson and Jim Schoenfeld . . . I think it might have been Tarik who’d recently suggested that the Caps needed eight out of a possible ten points on this homestand. That’s looking pretty achievable right now.

Actually, it’s a bit uncertain. The ‘Cats have scored 56 seconds into the second: Shawn Matthias from Bryan Allen. And two-and-a-half minutes Dave Steckel is off for holding. Some concern-tempering data: Florida’s power play is like 6-for-its-last 62.

Or . . . my recitation of that was the kiss of life. It’s now 3-2 Caps after a Florida power play tally. Matthais again! It’s only his second game of the year.

It’s as if the teams changed sweaters between periods. Another Caps’ penalty leads to more resuscitation of the Panther’s anemic power play. Jok from Nathan Horton and Magnus Johansson. Now all knotted up at 3. Bruce Boudreau, the story goes, had a few choice words for his team after Thursday night’s first period. I suspect he will after tonight’s second.

Interesting: the public address advisory of Metro delays “of up to 30 minutes” after tonight’s game draws the evening’s loudest boos.

A Semin sniping! The Caps are back out in front, and Semin was integral to the play’s development, keeping the puck in high in the Panthers’ zone and willing himself into the slot through about three Panthers before circling back and capitalizing. He now has goals in five straight games.

The final third of the period salvaged, a bit, what was a dismal middle frame for the home team. Nicklas Backstrom has three assists. 4-3 Caps after two.

Some weird league notes during the intermission: Sidney is having an MRI on Monday. For a high ankle sprain? Patrice Bergeron has been told by Peter Chiarelli to take “an island vacation.” Whoa.

Michael Nylander, his left shoulder in a sling, walked through the press box during the second intermission. He looked very tired and dejected. Understandably.

I’d like to have been a fly on the Caps’ room wall the past 15 minutes.

An-all-alone-in-front Nicklas Backstrom was toe-stopped by Vokoun just 45 seconds into the third. That may prove to be a pivotal moment in the game’s outcome.

4:40 of the third: these power plays that Alexander Ovechkin ends before they’re 5 seconds old, kinda nifty. A bit of breathing space after a tumultuous second period: 5-3 Caps. Green has multiple assists on the night, but Backstrom has four! Young Star indeed.

Triage update from the Caps’ Paul Rovnak: Shaone Morrisonn, hobbled from a slapper on the Panther’s second power play goal, won’t be returning tonight. Paul also confirmed for me that this is Nicklas Backstrom’s first four-point game of his NHL career. He’s had three three-points ones in his rookie season. Young Star indeed.

If someone else doesn’t, I’ll ask Bruce Boudreau after the game what he said during the second intermission — this has been the Caps’ third period.

Final: 5-3 good guys. Here’s some good stats: on home cooking, the Caps are 10-4-1 in heir last 15 at home. Boudreau’s Caps are 5-1-1 against the Southeast. They’re 9-7-2 against the division on the year.