The fist period was a flurry of penalties as both teams combined for eight penalties. Four a piece including a hooking penalty by Oliver Ekman-Larsson on a Beck Malenstyn break away. It was Malenstyn’s first ever penalty shot, unfortunately he could not convert on Sergei Bobrovsky. Alex Ovechkin did score his 833 goal though as he was able to one time a pass in his office from Rasmus Sandin. It was also Sandin’s 200th game. The Capitals took the one goal lead into the second period. The Capitals were outshot 14-13 in the first.
Things settled down a bit in the second period. Matthew Tkachuck would tie up the game at 1-1 early in the second period. After taking a hit Aliaksei Protas would make a nice feed to Michael Sgarbossa who then fed Anthanony Mantha for his 15th goal on the season. The Capitals took the only two penalties in the second. The late period penalty by Tom Wilson would be costly though as Sam Reinhart would score quickly via tip-in from another high to low play by the Panthers. The Capitals were outshot again as they could only muster four shots in the period. The third period started 2-2.
The third period looked much like the second. The Panthers put sustained pressure on the Capitals while Darcy Kuemper is forced to try and hold down the fort. But eventually he broke and the Panthers took the go ahead goal from Ryan Lomberg. The Capitals were gifted a power play but were unable to convert as Eetu Luostrainen added the empty netter for a 4-2 final.
Three Takeaways:
- Penalties. Too many Penalties.
- Shots on goal. The Capitals had 13 shots on goal in the first period. It’s the second time in five games that they had 10 shots on goal in the first period. But the fourth game in a row where they were outshot in the first. Whether it was all the power play time or Florida played better the Capitals were unable to match the Panthers shot volume. Florida had over 10 shots on goal in every period.
- Overall play. Penalty filled for sure, but the team looked like they came to play even being outshot. They just couldn’t keep up. Maybe it was power play time but Ovechkin also was noticeable. Scoring a goal and getting 19:30 in ice time. His line was also trapped on the ice for an extended time for the Panthers go ahead goal.
They Said It: