Panthers Wrap-Up: Capitals 2, Panthers 1
Panthers fail to gain points for first time this season when leading after two periods as Capitals gain ground with 2-1 victory.
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 Alex Ovechkin also scored as the Capitals moved two points behind the first-place Panthers in the Southeast Division. FULL RECAP |
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 - Winger Kris Versteeg |
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 2. Theodore Strong Most Of The Night: Holding a 1-0 lead for almost two periods, Theodore was the key to the score. The Panthers netminder made a big kick save on Jeff Halpern in the first period. Then he made a big glove save on Brooks Laich after the Capitals forward made a move around Mike Weaver with 11:06 left in the second and walked in all alone on the Panthers keeper. Theodore stopped all 30 shots through the first two periods and was tested 11 more times in the final 20 period as Washington looked to tie up the Panthers netminder. 3. Penalties Killer As Caps Creep Closer: Still up 1-0 after two periods of play, despite a close call but a waved off goal in the final minute of the second (goaltender interference by Mike Knuble), Florida failed to record a point when leading after 40 minutes of play for the first time this season. The Panthers had entered the night with a 16-0-4 record when leading after two periods but penalties got them in trouble and kept them from amounting an offensive attack. Mikael Samuelsson went to the box for slashing 4:16 in. And despite Weaver being hit in the face with a Capitals stick while on the ice, play continued and Alex Ovechkin knotted the score 31 seconds into the man advantage. The Capitals were awarded three more power plays in the final stanza, including one with 4:51 left on the clock and up a goal after Alexander Semin beat a Theodore with a shot that handcuffed the Panthers netminder. While the Capitals saw four power play chances, Florida saw just 1:15 of time (carry over from the Knuble interference penalty in the second). With Theodore pulled for the extra attacker, Florida couldn't get the equalizer as the Capitals tied up the Panthers on the face-offs with time expiring. With the loss, Florida holds just a two-point lead in the Southeast. |
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 Memorable twitter posts from the game.
@Haydn760: On the bright side the fans singing the anthem together still makes me happy thinking back #flapanthers |
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 Memorable fan posts from the game.
Rebecca Hindle: We better win the next game or I won't be happy could have had a 6 point lead if we'd have won. Daniel Landon Chiarelli: The Panthers played a great 1st period full of shots and one goal. The second and third period lacked the offensive spark that this team needs down the stretch. If the Panthers want to succeed and make the playoffs, they need to acquire some good goal-scorers before the deadline to boost the offense. Gregory Gudin: Inconsistent play..the last two games were terrible...sad after such a strong showing last weekend Joe Fiore: Heart breaker. Michael Trudeau: Until we improve our powerplay we are done. Theodore stood on his head tonight and the rest of the team failed to step up. I was crushed! |
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 1. The Panthers have been money when leading after 40 minutes of play. The Panthers had picked up points in each of their 20 games (16-0-4) before Washington earned the 2-1 regulation victory. |
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1 Goal, 1 Assist, +1, 6 Shots
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Panthers
Capitals
Author: Glenn Odebralski | FloridaPanthers.com
