The Washington Capitals haven’t pieced together a winning streak since the first week of December. Tonight, against the Florida Panthers, they’ll try to get Win 1 again before going on the road for a while.
The Panthers return to DC after getting destroyed 9-1 by the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night. The day before, the Panthers celebrated their 2025 Stanley Cup championship with President Trump.
The Capitals will be without Tom Wilson for a seventh straight game and Justin Sourdif. Ivan Miroshnichenko is up from Hershey and will play. Logan Thompson will get the start and oppose Danill Tarasov on Florida’s end.
One final important note: Tonight is Pride Night at Capital One Arena. And for me, I wish every night at Capital One Arena was like this. If you feel uncomfortable with the idea that a lesser-served part of the community is being celebrated and highlighted, I want you to explore that feeling and ask yourself why. I come from a world where everyone is and should be treated as equals. There are no lesser thans. We are all people, we are all human. No matter who you love, no matter what you look like, we all deserve the same rights, same respect, and same opportunities. Got it? Great. ❤️
Puck drop for today’s game is scheduled for a little after 7 pm. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin will have the call on Monumental Sports Network.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Florida Panthers
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped.
Panthers have 11 of the first 12 shots of the game. Florida is coming in waves. LT is stopping everything.
Connor McMichael scores on a backhand as he streaks toward the net at 12:48, but Florida is challenging the play for the Capitals being offside. Looks like Aliaksei Protas was in the zone ahead of the play.
No goal.
Beauvillier steals the puck from the Panthers. Dylan Strome misses on three consecutive opportunities down low.
AJ Greer comes right back and scores on a rebound from the slot.
1-0 Florida Panthers
Goal: AJ Greer (10). Assists: S. Bennett (20). Time: 13:23
Dowd and Bennett are throwing gloved punches at each other.
At intermission: The Panthers lead 1-0. Pretty much all Florida. The Panthers are outshooting the Capitals 14-4.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped. Sergei Gonchar is in the booth to start the second period.
Sam Bennett and Nic Dowd to the box for roughing at 1:14.
Chychrun skates in, uses a defender as a screen, and sends a huge shot over the pad and under the glove of Tarasov.
1-1 tied
Goal: Jakob Chychrun (16). Assists: A. Protas (16), J. Carlson (28). Time: 2:04
Chychrun from the point. Ivan Miroshnichenko with a great screen in front.
2-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Jakob Chychrun (17). Assists: J. Carlson (29), N. Dowd (10). Time: 10:04
Caps are humming now.
2-2 tie
Goal: Sam Bennett (17). Assists: C. Verhaeghe (22), N. Mikkola (7). Time: 11:40
Alex Ovechkin to the box for delay of game at 14:31.
Panthers score on the power play with a shot from the point. Nic Dowd screen and redirect. LT had no chance.
3-2 Florida Panthers
PPG: Uvis Balinskis (3). Assists: A. Lundell (20), S. Reinhart (22). Time: 15:16
Chychrun is going hard for the Dad Trick tonight.
At intermission: The Panthers lead 3-2. Shots are 21-18 Florida.
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