(Sports Network) - After showing some signs of life early on, it has been much of the same for the Florida Panthers. This is a team that hasn't qualified for the playoffs since 2000, and that drought will continue if things don't turn around quickly.

The Cats have lost their last four games, and are 1-4-3 in their last eight games. They already trail first-place Atlanta by 11 points in the Southeast Division race.

On Monday, Florida dropped a 4-1 tilt to visiting Washington, as Dainius Zubrus scored two goals and added an assist to lift the Capitals.

Nathan Horton scored the lone goal in the loss, and Alexander Auld made 23 saves for the Panthers.

Auld fell to 0-6-1 in his last seven starting assignments.

Florida lost despite testing Washington goaltender with 44 shots, including 20 in the third period.

The Panthers played their 12th consecutive game without winger Todd Bertuzzi, who underwent back surgery earlier this month. His timetable for returning was six to eight weeks at the time of the procedure.

Florida will host Montreal on Thursday before welcoming the NY Islanders to town two nights later.