The Florida Panthers defeated the Washington Capitals 5-2 on Tuesday night. Florida climbs to third in the Atlantic division with a 9-6-1 record. Washington, meanwhile, sits below the .500 mark at 7-9-2.
Game Recap
The Panthers started hot, coming to play from the first puck drop. This momentum would grow, with an Aleksander Barkov goal 5:45 in. On a bad turnover, Barkov shot the puck from the high slot for the 1-0 lead. Florida would continue to dominate, outshooting Washington 22-9 in the first period. With 16 seconds remaining in the period, Sam Bennett would find a seat in the box. The Capitals would get a power play that carried into the next period. Fortunately for Florida, Washington was unsuccessful.
The middle frame saw an early chance for the Panthers on the power play. Sam Reinhart would take advantage of the power play extending Florida’s lead. Reinhart scored with an impressive display of hand-eye coordination, batting in the puck with the toe of his stick. In addition, Matthew Tkachuk recorded his 400th point on the goal. Washington refused to leave the period empty handed, as Dylan Strome would reply late. Shooting through a screen, Strome reduced the Panthers lead to one. At the end of two, it was 2-1 Florida.
The third period included a more inspired performance by the Capitals. Washington could not make use of this inspiration though, as the Panthers continued to score. Florida’s first goal of the period was courtesy of Nick Cousins, seven minutes in. Four minutes later, John Carlson provided hope bringing the Cats lead back down to one. Carter Verhaeghe would fire up the engines late though, scoring two goals in the final three minutes. One being a backhand shot, another being an empty netter. In the end, Florida took the win 5-2.
FL Teams Star of the Game
Who other than Matthew Tkachuk for the star of the game. The seventh-year veteran recorded point 400 in a three assist night.
Up Next
Florida hosts the Dallas Stars in their first meeting of the season Thursday night. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM EST.