Fresh off a huge victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, the Washington Capitals can finish .500 on their four-game road trip with a victory against the Florida Panthers.
There’ll be no changes to the Capitals’ lineup from Tuesday while the Barkov and Tkachuk-less Panthers will turn to Daniil Tarasov
in net. There’s really nothing to say. They just need another big win.
Puck drop for tonight’s game is shortly after 7:00 pm. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call on Monumental Sports Network.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Florida Panthers
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped. Duhaime-Sourdif-Wilson and Chychrun-Roy get the start.
Jakob Chychrun is hurting at the Capitals bench after blocking a shot. A shot hit the side of his right leg/knee area. He’s hobbling down the tunnel.
Chychrun is back at the TV timeout.
Eight minutes in, the Capitals have 7 of the game’s first 9 shots. Another good start.
Incredible deflection by Brandon Duhaime gives the Capitals the lead. Doggie has goals in three straight.
1-0 Washington Capitals
Goal: Brandon Duhaime (3). Assists: R. Sandin (4). Time: 8:25
The Panthers answer 28 seconds later.
1-1 tie
Goal: Evan Rodrigues (4). Assists: N. Mikkola (3). Time: 8:53
Capitals go to their first power player after Tom Wilson is interfered by Seth Jones at 14:33.
The Capitals are outshooting the Panthers 17 to 5 with 2:41 remaining. Great start.
At intermission: The Caps and Panthers are tied 1-1. The Capitals outshot the Panthers 17 to 6, but the game is closer than it may appear. The Panthers had more high-danger chances 7-4 at five-on-five despite the Capitals leading in attempts 22 to 15.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Panthers with a set play and Logan Thompson makes a big save at the far post.
Tom Wilson to the box for holding Eetu Luostarinen 41 seconds into the period. Panthers to their first power play.
Shortly after Florida’s power play ends, Schwindt with a tip-in from the slot to give Florida their first lead.
2-1 Panthers
Goal: Cole Schwindt (2). Assists: G. Forsling (8), E. Luostarinen (6). Time: 3:05
Incredible dekes and toe-drag by Leonard to dance around two Panthers defenders down the right wing. He nearly scores but a huge save by Tarasov.
Sandin jumps into the play and nearly scores from the slot.
Jakob Chychrun to the box for tripping Donovan Sebrango at 11:55.
Capitals take another penalty at 14:21, a bench penalty for too many men.
Sam Reinhart scores on a big rebound in front of the net via his backhand. Logan probably wants this one back.
3-1 Panthers
PPG: Sam Reinhart (9). Assists: B. Marchand (8). Time: 14:41
At intermission: The Panthers are leading 3-1. The Capitals lead in shots 27 to 19 and in attempts at five-on-five, 49 to 29. But again, high-danger chances are 9 to 9.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Sourdif, completely unguarded, bunts the puck over the goal line after a great pass by Jakob Chychrun. It’s a one-goal game.
3-2 Panthers
Goal: Justin Sourdif (2). Assists: J. Chychrun (8), T. Wilson (8). Time: 0:52
Dylan Strome loses Sam Reinhart in coverage in front of the net.
4-2 Panthers
Goal: Sam Reinhart (2). Assists: J. Chychrun (8), T. Wilson (8). Time: 4:54
Nic Dowd takes a costly double minor at 6:35. Two for hooking Donovan Sebrango and two for unsportsmanlike conduct as he argued with the official on his way to the box.
Panthers convert on Dowd’s second minor. Seth Jones hits the crossbar and the puck bounces down behind the goal line and out. Wow, what a shot.
5-2 Panthers
PPG: Seth Jones (1). Assists: B. Marchand (8), A. Lundell (9). Time: 9:50
Leonard with a screen in front and Sandin’s shot from the point finds the back of the net.
5-3 Panthers
Goal: Rasmus Sandin (2). Assists: J. Carlson (10). Time: 12:40
Ethen Frank draws a penalty again with his speed. Donovan Sebrango to the box at 13:37.
Caps can’t score on the power play.
Bennett chips the puck off the right post after Matt Roy snaps his stick in the defensive zone.
Caps take an icing with 3 minutes to go.
Logan Thompson jumps off the ice around 2:05 for an extra attacker.
Brad Marchand notches his 1,000th career point with a primary assist on Eetu Luostarinen’s empty-net goal. He’s the 12th active player to reach the mark.
6-3 Panthers
ENG: Eetu Luostarinen (3). Assists: B. Marchand (9), A. Lundell (10). Time: 18:27
Capitals lose 6-3. The Capitals have lost 7 of their last 9 games. They outshot the Panthers 40 to 28 and out-attempted them at 5v5, 71 to 41.
No dice against the back-to-back defending champs: Panthers beat Capitals 6-3
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