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Game preview
The Washington Capitals will have a brand-new look Saturday afternoon when they host the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena, debuting their new Hometown Remix jerseys for the first time. They’ll also be hoping the fresh threads bring some better luck after dropping consecutive games to the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars.
The Capitals will go with the same lineup that faced Dallas, while Logan Thompson will get another opportunity between the pipes after being pulled against the Stars on Tuesday. Martin Fehervary is good to go after missing Thursday’s practice for maintenance.
At Friday’s practice, the Capitals worked on preparing for Florida’s physical, structured style of play. Boone Jenner, Ilya Protas, and Anthony Beauvillier also stayed late for extra faceoff work, while Spencer Carbery heaped praise on Jenner for his all-around contributions.
Saturday’s game will also mark the return of old friend Lars Eller, who played in his 1,200th NHL game earlier this week. The 2018 Stanley Cup hero became just the 143rd player in NHL history to reach the milestone, reflecting on his remarkable journey from Denmark: “I think the little kid would be proud today.”
Puck drop is at 12:30 pm on Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Florida Panthers
Goaltending matchup
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Tuch-Strome-Kyrou and Chychrun-Roy get the start for the Caps.
Puck is dropped.
Alex Ovechkin and Lars Eller share a smile after Ovi has an early net-front chance frozen by Akira Schmid.
Schmid can’t clear the puck up the boards, and Jack St. Ivany pounces on it for a quick shot that squeaks through to open the scoring. The goal is St. Ivany’s first career NHL marker.
1-0 Washington Capitals
Goal: Jack St. Ivany (1). Assists: Unassisted. Time: 2:21
Brady Tkachuk quickly responds for the Panthers, capitalizing on a turnover in Washington’s defensive zone.
1-1 Tie
Goal: Brady Tkachuk (9). Assists: M. Tkachuk (19). Time: 3:13
Power play
Sam Heinhart hooking penalty on Justin Sourdif at 5:04
Tom Wilson hits Sandis Vilmanis in the numbers from behind, sending him face first into the glass and injuring the young forward. Wilson is getting assessed a five-minute major so officials can review the hit.
The major is confirmed. Wilson is also being tossed from the game. He’s screaming at Boko as he leaves the ice.
Penalty kill
Tom Wilson major boarding penalty at 8:55
2-1 Florida Panthers
PPG: Brady Tkachuk (10). Assists: M. Tkachuk (20), S. Jones (17). Time: 10:00
Capitals only give up one goal on the major penalty. Florida was dangerous throughout the five minute power play.
Birds in the arena!
Power play
Carter Verhaeghe holding the stick penalty on Alex Tuch at 17:29
At intermission: The Panthers lead 2-1 and have a shots on goal edge of 11-9.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Alex Tuch now has 11 goals in his first 14 games with the Capitals. Another snipe to the top corner. Tie game.
2-2 Tie
Goal: Alex Tuch (11). Unassisted. Time: 4:39
Sick pass by Pierre-Luc Dubois finds Aliaksei Protas the far post for a layup.
Penalty kill
Matt Roy high-sticking penalty on Carter Verhaeghe at 6:48
3-2 Washington Capitals
Goal: Aliaksei Protas (2). Assists: P. Dubois (7), R. Leonard (6). Time: 14:55
Martin Fehervary and Matthew Tkachuk whistled for roughing at 15:45. Four-on-four.
At intermission: The Capitals lead 3-2. Florida leads in shots 21-16.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Dylan Strome with a great chance.
At 3:57, Cole Hutson with a toe drag around Seth Jones and then zags around him again to the outside, but Schmid makes the save. Hutson is shaking his head.
Pro picks up a Panthers turnover at the top of the zone and returns the favor to PLD, finding Dubois wide open on the right side. Dubois dekes and tucks the puck past Schmid. A two-goal lead!
4-2 Washington Capitals
Goal: Pierre-Luc Dubois (2). Assists: A. Protas (5). Time: 4:42
Penalty kill
Cole Hutson holding the stick penalty on Cole Reinhardt at 9:10
Penalty kill
Cole Hutson cross-checking penalty on Cole Reinhardt at 14:35
Aliaksei Protas ends the Panthers’ power play early with a great drive to the net in the offensive zone.
Power play
Uvis Balinskis holding penalty on Aliaksei Protas at 15:59
Schmid is off the ice for an extra attacker with about 1:45 remaining in the game.
Panthers score 6-on-5 to make it a one-goal game.
4-3 Washington Capitals
Goal: Sam Bennett (5). Time: 19:14
Caps don’t even let the Panthers enter the offensive zone again with some great pressure.
Caps win 4-3.
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