On a day where the National Hockey League makes all time history with all 32 teams playing on one day, the Florida Panthers traveled to Washington to take on the Capitals in what would be their last road game of the regular season.
It was a grind and a battle but the Cats clawed their way to victory with timely offense and great goaltending once again by Alex Lyon. This marks the Panthers sixth win in a row with two crucial home games remaining to finish out the regular season.
Recap
The game started off slow as the Cats and Caps were all tied with no goals after the first period. Panthers goaltender Alex Lyon and Washington goaltender Charlie Lindgren were on point with a perfect first period.
In the second, the goals started flying in with the Caps scoring first on a goal by Dylan Strome. Shortly after two straight Panthers’ goals by Verhaeghe and Ekblad, Florida was out in front 2-1. However, at the end of the second period, Capitals defenseman Tom Wilson knotted the game at two.
In the third period, the Cats took over late after drawing a few penalties and gaining momentum. With only one minute remaining, Matthew Tkachuk with passion scored the go-ahead goal, his 40th of the season (108 points), but his most important goal of the season. Sam Reinhart put the game away with an empty netter to notch the 4-2 win in favor of Florida.
Matthew Tkachuk (1-2-3) scored his 6th game-winning goal of the season tonight at WSH, tied for the team lead. It also marked his 14th game with at least three points, the most in one season in Florida Panthers franchise history. pic.twitter.com/NoqoDSEQsU
— Florida Panthers PR (@FlaPanthersPR) April 9, 2023
The Lyon King, Alex Lyon, once again was stellar as he stopped 22 of 24 shots faced.
Up Next
The Panthers close out the 2022-2023 regular season at home with two remaining games. First up on Monday, April 10th against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and then on Thursday, April 13th against the Carolina Hurricanes on Fan Appreciation night!
If the Panthers win both of these games they are guaranteed a wild card spot in the playoffs.
Let’s root on the Panthers and show out to FLA Live Arena. GO CATS!!!