Capitals Beat Panthers, 2-1 in Overtime

The Washington Capitals beat the Florida Panthers, 2-1 in overtime on Saturday night, extending their new winning streak to two games. The Capitals were playing the second game of a back-to-back set, having beat the Columbus Blue Jackets last night (Friday) at Verizon Center. The Panthers were also playing the second game of a rare home and home back-to-back set of games.

Coach Trotz continued to tinker with the bottom six, this time including a change to the third line, dropping Tom Wilson to the 4th line and moving Andre Burakovsky up from the 4th line to Wilson’s spot on the third line. The lines for tonight’s match-up against the Panthers:

(Photo: @viclovesracing)

Offensive Lines
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Oshie
Johansson-Backstrom-Williams
Chimera-Beagle-Burakovsky
Laich-Stephenson-Wilson

Defensive Pairs
Orpik-Carlson
Alzner-Niskanen
Orlov-Schmidt

Stanislav Galiev, Taylor Chorney and Michael Latta were the healthy scratches for this game. Philipp Grubauer got the start in net for the Capitals.

Quick Takes
A sleepy start to this one for both teams, as both teams played the night before. Philipp Grubauer looked sharp in net for the Capitals in this contest. The Capitals played a listless game for most of this one. Evgeny Kuznetsov cam up big once again, time time in overtime for the game winner. The Capitals improve to 8-2-0 on the year and match the 1991-92 and 2011-12 Capitals for best 10-game start in franchise history.

(Photo: @viclovesracing)

First Period
The Capitals Jay Beagle was called for tripping at 1:38 of the first period, sending the Capitals to an early penalty kill. The Panthers were unable to generate much offensive pressure, as the Caps were able to successfully kill the games first penalty. Karl Alzner was called for the games’ second penalty on a hooking call at the 13:41 mark of the opening frame. The Capitals were once again able to kill the penalty. The Caps were a bit sloppy, with little offensive pressure in the opening stanza. Coach Trotz tried numerous line combinations in the first period, including 25-83-14, 65-19-77 and 8-92-43, just to generate a spark. A quiet first period with no tricks or treats, ended scoreless. Panthers led in SOG 10-5.

Second Period
The Capitals drew an early penalty to get their first power play at the 0:42 mark of the second period. The Capitals generated very little offensive pressure and gave up a goal to the Panthers Jussi Jokinen at the 2:47 mark of the second period, just as the Caps power play expired.

The Capitals drew a second power play after the Panthers Connor Brickley was called for interference at the 16:07 mark. Once again the Capitals came up dry and were unable to convert, extending their power play drought to seven straight without a goal.The period would end with the Panthers leading the Capitals 1-0.

Third Period
The Capitals finally got on the board early in third period when Jay Beagle punched in a rebound at the 2:23 mark.

The Panthers challenged the goal, questioning whether Montoya was interfered with, but finally, Washington would come out the victors on a coaches challenge as the goal would be ruled a good goal.

Jay Beagle was called for tripping at the 7:03 mark of the final stanza. The Capitals penalty kill once again stood tall, keeping the game tied at 1-1. And that’s how regulation would end.

Overtime
Trotz started the 3-on-3 overtime period with Nicklas Backstrom, Matt Niskanen and Karl Alzner. (2 Defensemen, 1 forward). Trotz would then cycle to 2 forwards and 1 defenseman following the initial faceoff. Evgeny Kuznetsov, on a shift with fellow countrymen Alex Ovechkin and Dmitri Orlov would win it on a dazzling move.