The Florida Panthers have hit a rough patch, no doubt about it.

Seven losses in the past 10 games have cost the Panthers their spot atop the Southeast Division. Washington now has the same amount of points as Florida, yet leads the division by virtue of having three more wins.

With 50 points, the Panthers dropped from third to tied for seventh with the Penguins in the Eastern Conference.

The most common refrain in the Florida locker room is the Panthers aren’t ready to panic. With 39 games left — including four against the Capitals — Florida has plenty of opportunities to right the ship. Florida had been leading the Southeast Division since jumping the Capitals on Nov. 19.

“We just need to get back on track and play the way we had been,” defenseman Jason Garrison said. “Everyone in here holds themselves accountable for the Pittsburgh game and I don’t think you’ll see an effort like that again. We just need to be a team again, play the system, get back to basics.’’

The Panthers might use Friday’s lackluster 4-1 loss to the Penguins as a springboard into what is a big week. Coach Kevin Dineen benched leading scorer Kris Versteeg during the third period of Friday’s game and limited the time Stephen Weiss and Tomas Fleischmann received. On Sunday, that trio was back working together in practice.

Florida opens what it hopes is a big push into the All-Star break with the defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins in town Monday night. Florida was embarrassed in its previous game against the Bruins. The Panthers beat the Bruins 2-0 in Boston on Dec. 8 only to get thrashed 8-0 on Dec. 23.

“We got beat well,” Dineen said when asked if the lopsided loss was still a fresh memory. “We got spanked, really got spanked and that sent us off on our Christmas break with a little coal in our stockings.’’

The Panthers’ recent run of going 3-5-2 started with a Dec. 20 home loss to Phoenix. Florida would like to start a new chapter this week, with five games between now and next Tuesday. After that, the Panthers have a nice break courtesy of the All-Star weekend.

Florida sure would like to be back in first by then. It won’t come easy, however. After playing the Bruins, Florida travels to Colorado, Chicago and Winnipeg. The Panthers close the stretch next Tuesday at home against the Flyers.

“The guys all look at the standings,” Garrison said. “We played well and put ourselves in a good position. Now, we need to start putting some points together. There’s a lot of season left, but this has been a wake-up call for sure.”

Goalie improving

Jose Theodore looked sharp in practice Sunday, although it’s still unknown whether he’ll return to the lineup Monday. Theodore, who injured his knee Dec. 31, said he feels good but still needs to be cleared by the Panthers’ medical staff.

“You try to be the best teammate you can, but when you’re hurt, you don’t feel like you are as much a part of the group,’’ Theodore said. “This is hard. I want to get back as soon as possible.’’

•  Dineen said injured forwards Sean Bergenheim, Scottie Upshall and Jack Skille wouldn’t return Monday but could later in the week. The three should travel with the team to Denver on Tuesday.