Panthers Hold Onto The Victory

Florida Panthers Jassen Cullimore (22), battles for the puck against Washington Capitals' Brooks Laich (21) and Viktor Kozlov, (25), during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 19, 2007, in Washington. Florida won 4-3. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON (AP) -The Florida Panthers woke up in time to avoid another costly third period.

Olli Jokinen had two goals and the Panthers held on for a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Monday night that ended a four-game road losing streak.

"I think when you look at the third-period fade, we won the hockey game," Florida coach Jacques Martin said. "I think it's a matter of going through those experiences, and hopefully learning from them and being better."

David Booth and Kamil Kreps also scored for the Panthers, who beat Washington for the second time in less than a week.

Florida gave up three goals in the third period of a 4-1 loss to Atlanta on Nov. 9. Three days later, Carolina scored with just over a minute left for a 4-3 victory. The Panthers then gave up a tying goal with 3 seconds left against Atlanta on Nov. 13 before the Thrashers won in overtime.

Game Highlights
Starting Lineups
Panthers		Capitals
Jokinen	C	Backstrom
Stumpel	LW	Ovechkin
Zednik	RW	Clark
Bouwmeester	D	Pothier
Salei	D	Schultz
Vokoun	G	Kolzig
Quote of the Game
“The first three goals we scored from in front of the net, which has been lacking for us. We haven’t gotten those second chances. The first three goals are a good example of good things happening when you go to the net.” - Panthers captain Olli Jokinen
Stat of the Game
The Panthers who had been struggling scoring at even strength, scored all four of their goals five-on-five.
3 Stars Presented by Szrio Jewelry
1. Olli Jokinen 2. Richard Zednik 3. Michael Nylander

 

"I don't know why we relaxed," Jokinen said. "If you give those guys room, they're going to find a way to score. They were definitely cheating a little bit and going for offense for the last 10 minutes. (It's) good for us they didn't get that third one."

Tomas Vokoun, who was in the net for the Panthers' 2-1 win over the Capitals on Thursday, made 27 saves in this victory.

"We've got to find a way to finish games and finish them like we should," Vokoun said. "We were up 4-1, and we were very close to the game being tied. For whatever reason, this shouldn't happen."

After Florida took a 3-1 lead in the second period, a group of fans showed their displeasure with Washington coach Glen Hanlon by chanting "Fire Hanlon" and booing.

The struggling Capitals have lost four straight and fell to 2-6 at home.

"Certainly, I know these guys well enough," Hanlon said. "It's not a matter of not caring or not trying.

Goalie Olie Kolzig, still sitting in his pads about 15 minutes after the game, made it clear he didn't think the Capitals need a coaching change.

"It's not a lot of fun right now," Kolzig said. "Guys were just being a little too tight. we just need to relax and Glen stressed that after the second period. Guys need to lighten up, loosen up - it's a hockey game - and when we did that you saw how we played in the third."

Former Capital Richard Zednik and Jozef Stumpel each had two assists for Florida, which entered the game with a 2-8-1 road record.

Florida took a 1-0 lead when David Booth redirected a Ruslan Salei shot past Kolzig at 3:33 in the first period. But the Capitals tied it less than 90 seconds later when Brooks Laich's shot slipped between Vokoun's pads for a short-handed goal.

The Panthers got the lead back on Kreps' goal late in the first. Jokinen beat Kolzig in the second and again in the third to make it 4-1.

Kolzig finished with 22 saves.

Alexander Semin and Chris Clark scored third-period goals for Washington.

Notes: Washington traded former first-round pick C Brian Sutherby to Anaheim for a second-round pick in the 2009 NHL entry draft. ... Semin's goal was his first of the season. He rejoined the Washington lineup after missing eight games with a sprained ankle. ... Florida improved to 9-2-0 in its last 11 games in Washington. ... Vokoun has started 19 of Florida's first 22 games.